By Kristin Canning

Wartburg College sustainability leaders want students, faculty and staff to become “RecycleManiacs.”

Wartburg will participate in the 2012 RecycleMania, an eight-week competition beginning in February for college and university recycling programs. The College and University Recycling Council will determine winners based on the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, and the highest recycling rate.

Wartburg will be in the Competition Division of RecycleMania participating in the categories of Grand Champion, Per Capita Classic, and Targeted Materials.

Emily Rogers ’14 is the Wartburg student leader for RecycleMania.

“Students will be encouraged to recycle more or, at least, become more aware of the recycling opportunities on campus,” Rogers said. “Wartburg can support the community overall by minimizing the waste created by students and staff.”

The residence halls will stage an additional competition in February to see which hall can recycle the most per person.

“This will be a fun way for students to get involved with their residence hall to try to outdo one another for a prize,” Rogers said. “Hopefully, the competition will bond their hall while they collaborate, strategize, and think of fun ways to win and still lessen the amount of waste in their hall.”

In March, the campaign will focus more on competing against conference schools like Loras and Simpson.

“By this time, students will have thought of some creative ways to lessen the consumption of waste and will be in the habit of better recycling practices on their floors, and will be excited to continue to recycle so that Wartburg can win the competition,” Rogers said.

Rogers said it’s easy to get involved — and for Wartburg to win.

“All students or faculty have to do is recycle — easy! If students or faculty really want to contribute, they could designate a ‘clean out day’ by choosing a day of the week to clean out their rooms or offices and take recyclable items in their desks or bags to a nearby recycling area,” Rogers said.

“If we pool our efforts and recycle what we can you could really make a difference.”

Rogers is getting the word out about RecycleMania by meeting with resident assistants, student organizations and faculty members. She’s developing posters, ads, table tents in the Mensa, and a scoreboard showing the results each week to keep students continually informed about the campaign. 

“I’ve met with the RAs and faculty representatives and feel strongly that they will do what they can to spark the interest of the staff and students. I’m also hoping to get to a few basketball games or other sporting events to announce reminders about the competition,” Rogers said.

Rogers said recycling is important on college campuses because it heightens awareness about waste management on a personal level.

“Hopefully, the competition will be a catalyst for students and faculty to think about what they can do to support environmental issues more positively. Living more sustainably will lessen the impact the waste we generate will have on our environment in the future,” Rogers said. “Our waste contributes to many serious environmental issues. If for just a two-month period, we can learn to reduce the consumption of waste we generate, that will have an impact.”