College tops region in recycling contest

Bridgewater State College was placed at 14 out of 95 colleges and universities in the nation, and first in Massachusetts, in the first year of competition in the RecycleMania. RecycleMania is a friendly competition among colleges and universities across the U.S that is all about recycling, raising awareness, and who can recycle the most. BSC joined the competition this year as a result of President Dr. Dana Mohler-Faria's signing of the President's Climate Commitment. The PCC is a "national initiative focused on using the physical and intellectual resources of higher education to fight global warming."

A group of environmentally concerned individuals from many different areas of the BSC community make up the President's Climate Commitment task force.

"The PCC task force selected waste minimization as one of the categories we would compete in] since we already had a fairly comprehensive recycling program on campus and joining RecycleMania would raise awareness for the program and for the importance of overall waste reduction," said Mary Cahill, Bridgewater State's Recycling Coordinator and a member of the PCC task force.

BSC has several waste minimizing practices already in place, including: (1) a recycling program (mixed paper, cardboard, bottles/cans/glass, batteries and light bulbs, (2) use of online as much as possible instead of printed/paper material, (3) made e-mail the official means of communication, (4) purchase of green chemicals and green paper products for campus use, (5) Food Services has involved themselves in waste minimization by using reusable cups, recycling cardboard and using biodegradable flatware, cups, napkins and plates in one major dining hall.

According to Cahill "the college plans to expand on the above efforts and explore composting in dining halls and more extensive recycling efforts in the residence halls." She added, ". we are already way ahead of the game!"

A total of 27.48 tons (combined waste and recycling) were recycled during the 10-week period (January 27- April 25), averaging 43.55 pounds per person. To further BSC's recycling practices for the RecycleMania competition more recycling bins were added on campus. Mary Cahill helped spread the word about recycling and RecycleMania by meeting with student leadership council among other groups.

The RecycleMania contest helped increase Bridgewater State College's awareness in recycling matters and gave the BSC community a goal to work towards. BSC plans to participate in the recycling contest next year.

"Our hope is to expand the program and perhaps get the athletic department involved and get the word out during athletic events," said Mary Cahill.

"It was great to see the enthusiasm of our student body. Our recycling rate is up and the students are anxious to get the BSC recycling program expanded to include every residence hall on campus,"?she said. I was very pleased with our results considering this was the first year entering the contest. The contest helped us raise awareness on the importance of overall waste reduction and how that reduction leads to lowering our carbon footprint, one ton at a time.