OU leads Recycle Mania contest, BGSU close behind

Ohio University came out on top of the trash heap in Recycle Mania during the first week of competition, but Bowling Green State University is close behind.

The contest calculates the number of recyclables collected from dining halls, residence halls and on-campus apartment buildings during a 10-week period, said Ed Newman, OU’s recycling and refuse manager. Results for the contest are calculated by pounds per student living on campus.

OU recycled 4.6 pounds per student, a slim lead over BGSU, which recycled 4.5 pounds per student, Newman said. Last year, OU recycled 4.0 pounds per student during the first week of competition.

But Newman said he is leery about OU’s early lead because results can change dramatically each week.

Harvard University recycled 3.7 pounds per student last week, claiming third place, Newman said. Miami University won Recycle Mania last year, but their first week scores totaled to 3.2 pounds per student.

Recycling awareness will heat up in the next few weeks with a two-week internal recycling competition among residence halls, Newman said. And OU officials will dive into dumpsters on South Green to show students much of what they throw away is recyclable.

 

—Sara Bisker