Trash Talk
Perkins Hall residents are discovering that recycling pays off — in more ways than just helping the environment.
SMU News
DALLAS (SMU) — Perkins Hall residents are discovering that recycling pays off — in more ways than just helping the environment.
They’ll be enjoying their choice of a new air hockey table or flat-screen TV after having collected the most recycled materials during SMU’s friendly residence hall competition, which was aimed at spurring participation in the nationwide RecycleMania contest going on across college campuses through April 2.
During the SMU RecycleMania’s first round, which ended Feb. 25, Perkins Hall took the top prize, collecting 1.2 bags of recyclables per person. Cockrell-McIntosh won second-place honors. They collected 1.08 bags of recycled material per person, and will be treated to a block party sponsored by Coca-Cola.
The residence hall competition also continues through April 2, with the ultimate winning residence hall getting recognition on a plaque to be placed in a prominent spot on campus.
As for SMU’s overall standings in the nationwide tourney, “we’re doing well, but we can do a lot better,” says Eric English, SMU’s environmental manager. “In the next six weeks, we’ll need everyone’s help if we’re going to be the best in Texas.”
With that in mind, “We need everyone to clean up their offices, especially by getting rid of old papers, boxes and magazines,” English says, adding, “We can win this!”
SMU's participation in RecycleMania is part of the University's overall sustainability efforts.
SMU’s RecycleMania - Rankings as of Week 4:
Within the Nation:
- Per Capita (single-stream recyclables, per person): Ranks 42nd out of 331 schools
- Targeted Material (corrugated cardboard, per person): Ranks 145th out of 203 schools
Within Texas:
- Per Capita: 2nd out of 18 schools
- Targeted Material: 4th out of 11 schools
For comparison: Nationally, last year SMU finished 107th out of 346 schools in the Per Capita division and 151st out of 231 in the Targeted Materials division.
Eco-Art Competition:
To further help promote RecyleMania, SMU students and staffers are encouraged to enter the “Art of Recycling” contest, which will showcase and award prizes to the most creative looks in refuse. Deadline for entering is March 11. For more on the contest, click here.
Need-to-Know Basics:
To help SMU stay competitive in RecycleMania, toss recyclables in their proper place.
Put these “single-stream recyclables” in blue bins or containers lined with clear bags:
The exception: Place corrugated cardboard boxes alongside the bins for each building’s custodian to compact or bale.
For more details on RecycleMania , visit recyclemaniacs.org. For more information about SMU’s recycling efforts, visit smu.edu/fms/Recycling_Program.asp or contact Eric English at 8-2163 or eenglish@smu.edu .
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