FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 15, 2009

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU gathers 266 bags of trash in ‘Recyclemania’ drive

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Once word got out that Slippery Rock University was enrolled in “Recyclemania,” a national recycling competition sponsored by the National Recycling Coalition, the trash rolled in.

           A total of 266 bags of recyclables were collected from SRU’s residence halls, said Cathy Sadler, assistant director of residential education and retention in Residence Life. Sadler worked with William Rudloff, director of environmental health and safety, and Joel Brown, institutional fire and safety specialist in the Environmental Health and Safety Office, to promote the recycling project and garner campus support.

           “College campus recycling programs document the total pounds of recycled materials on their campus during the campaign,” Sadler said. Schools turning in the highest numbers can win awards. 

           SRU offered $150 to the residence hall that accumulated the most bags of bottles/cans/glass, cardboard and paper during the drive. The results were weighted to account for residence hall size, Sadler said.

           The top honor, during the March 21-27 drive, went to Building F, followed by Building E and Building C. 

           The SRU campaign included requests for suggestions on how SRU could become even “greener” and more environmentally friendly. One student suggested campus copiers print double-sided and the idea will be considered, Rudloff said. 

            SRU came in 88th out of 202 universities participating in the cardboard recycling efforts; 115th out of 209 in the bottles/cans/glass category; and 131st out of 203 participants in the paper recycling drive. Brown said some participating universities have fulltime recycling staffs. 

            Other projects launched during Recyclemania included a “Recycling Pledge” in which students signed a pledge to help in recycling and received a chance to win an I-pod Nano. This year’s winner was Margaret DePree, a freshman from Jamestown.

            “I hope this project becomes a campus traditional,” Sadler said. 

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.