Today, USC is launching its first campus-wide, four-week competitive recycling program, RecycleMania. The competition will act as a precursor to Student Government's goal to compete nationally next year with other colleges and universities in RecycleMania, sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Students in residence halls and the Greek Village will earn prizes for the most recyclables, determined by point value. Each housing facility will have a specific drop off location for recyclables, and should have recyclables out the night before pickup day.
Pickup day is Tuesday for North campus, Wednesday for Central campus and Thursday for South campus. Students with questions about drop-offs or pickup days should ask their residence mentors.
David Ensor, SG secretary of environmental affairs, said the goal of the four-week program is simply to raise awareness about recycling. He hopes for maximum participation and reminds students to "move recyclables out to their collection spots the night before."
Ensor notes that although the items are wanted in the challenge, cardboard will not be counted because some halls may not have cardboard recycling.
"We want to be fair," he said.
Andrew Gaeckle, USC student body president, said that although there has been little advertising for the campaign, he hopes RecylcleMania will pick up steam throughout the month.
"We're not competing on the national scale yet, we first want to synergize the program inside our campus," Gaeckle said. He chose to implement the four-week plan as a basis for what students can do next year, and to set a standard for improvement.
"This is the first year this is done, we just want to raise awareness," he said. Gaeckle said that flyers and announcements will be made throughout the next four weeks reminding students to recycle.
All sororities and most fraternities will compete this year in RecycleMania, and will continue their race in the Environmental Olympics, a competition especially for the Greek Village. The Olympics makes recycling a habit for members of sororities and fraternities.
"Just this year, Greek houses have started recycling," Ensor said, "there's one drop off spot, and they have to take it themselves."
Beginning next year, each chapter will compete for the Eco Cup, a trophy given to the fraternity or sorority who completes the most recycling. Points earned in RecycleMania this spring will greatly increase chances to win a trophy in the Environmental Olympics next year.
RECYCLEMANIA PICKUP SPOTS:
TUESDAY
Capstone: curb at oak tree on Barnwell Street Columbia Hall: curb at oak tree on Barnwell Street DesSaussure: curb behind building by parking lot French House: curb by BA circle Harper/Elliot: curb behind building by parking lot Maxcy: curb by alleyway Pinkey/Legare: curb behind building by parking lot Preston: curb behind building by access lane Rutledge: curb behind building by parking lot Thornwell: curb behind building by parking lot Woodrow: curb behind building by parking lot
