Recyclemania lets VCU score green points

Virginia Commonwealth University is home to the Rams and the well-known colors of black and gold.  But now V-C-U is trying to get students to go green.  A new game is encouraging campus residents to recycle.

V-C-U ‘s goal in this intercollegiate competition is to score points for the environment.  Recyclemania is a game that everyone on campus can play. But will they?

“I don’t know anything about Recyclmania,” said VCU student Sam Wood.

Steve Heinitz has been the school’s recycling coordinator for 7 years. Heintiz and his full time staff hope that the competition will raise awareness on campus.

“This is the first time that VCU has competed. We are excited to be involved in this friendly competition,” Heinitz said.

The school is competing in the “Per Capita Classic.”  This game counts tons of recycled waste from students who live on campus.  The school’s recycling team has new recycling bins and more posters in all of the dorms.

In 2007, VCU generated 3,492 tons of waste.  That same year, Heinitz and his crew recycled 23 tons of mixed bottles and 632 tons of paper! But they could use more help.

“We’d be happy to have more student volunteers,” said Heinitz.

 So far this year, the recycling team has not had any volunteers come out and help.  For more information contact the VCU Recycling team online at www.VCU.edu/recyling.

The 2007 haul from VCU Recycling included the following:

* 111 Tons of Metal

* 632 Tons of Paper

* 23 Tons of Plastic, Aluminum and Glass Drink Containers

* 5.4 Tons of Fluorescent Lights and Batteries

* 25 Tons of Computers/E-Scrap

* 1.5 Tons of Toner/Ink Jet Cartridges.