What is RecycleMania?

For the fourth year, K-State competed in the 10-week national RecycleMania program (http://www.recyclemania.org/). This friendly competition among colleges and universities aims to promote campus recycling programs. RecycleMania 2012 runs between Feb. 5 to March 31. Last year we improved on our campus recycling from the previous year. This year's totals are posted below.

Kansas State University continues to show improvement in our recycling efforts. During the 2011 competition, K-State collected and diverted 173,579 pounds of recyclables from our waste stream; – this equals 7.02 pounds of recyclables- cumulative/per person – for a recycling rate of about 19%- resulting in an overall ranking of 261 out of 363 participating schools.

In 2010 K-State recycled 139,156 pounds of material – 5.6 pounds per person- a recycling rate of about 16% and  ranking of 272 out of 347 participating schools. 

A 25% recycling rate would be a nice (achievable) goal for next year- Go K-State!

Here is how schools in the Big 12 scored on 2011:

1. University of Texas- recycling rate of 32%
2. Baylor University- recycling rate 26%
3. University of Missouri- recycling rate 23%
4. Kansas State University- recycling rate  19%
5. University of Oklahoma- recycling rate 18%

Cumulative pounds per person- Big 12:

1. University of Missouri- 13 pounds per person
2. Baylor University-9.5 pounds per person
3. University of Oklahoma- 9.3  pounds per person
4. University of Nebraska- 9.15 pounds per person
5. University of Texas- 8.7 pounds per person
6. Kansas State University- 7.02 pounds per person
7. University of Kansas 5.92 pounds per person
8. Texas A&M- 5.24 pounds per person

California State University had the highest recycling rate- 80% !!!
Union College had the highest per capita weight- 55 pounds per person
Rutgers collected the most pounds of recyclables -3,057,867 pounds

How Can You Help?

Several K-State groups are currently participating in the program; SEA (Students for Environmental Action) and the K-State Greeks Going Green Campaign. You are welcome to join their efforts or even start your own.

Here is what you can do...

• Request desk-side recycling bins (if you don’t have them already) by calling Facilities at 532-6446 or e-mailing recycles@ksu.edu
• Place recycling receptacles next to your copy machines
• Use existing recycling bins in your building, at the rec center and on campus. New bin racks have been placed around campus especially for RecycleMania.
• Practice the 3-R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

What is Being Recycled as Part of RecycleMania?

• Mixed Paper - white and colored paper, letterhead, index cards, white forms, computer paper.
• Cardboard
• Newspaper - Collegian and other newspapers.
• Plastic pop bottles
• Aluminum cans
• Food Waste - food prep waste collected from Housing and Dining Services used for compost.
• e-Waste - computers, printers, screens, keyboards, CDs, DVDs, and most portable media.

Trial Week 1: 17% of campus waste was recycled
Trial Week 2: 20% of campus waste was recycled

Week 1 begins February 5, 2012

K-State Weekly Updates
	Cardboard	Mixed Paper	Newspaper	Magazines/ Phone Books	Plastic Bottles, Aluminum Cans, Glass, Steel Can	Food Waste	Weekly Recycling Total (lbs.)	Weekly Total Campus Waste (lbs.)	Campus Recycling Rate
Week 1	8907	5882	3791	2136	3389	3780	24,105	103,685	23.25%
Week 2	6915	6119	2850	3722	1305	6240	22,702	110,702	21.83%
Week 3	10,062	7968	3697	3262	2865	3800	27,883	121,163	22.26%
Week 4	11,133	4680	3523	3314	2528	3740	25,178	109,589	22.43%
Week 5	10,972	12,440	3619	4204	2607	3700	33,842	131,322	23.19%
Week 6	93,363	3874	3726	1584	3069	4180	21,616	107,996	22.69%
Week 7	7056	9821	9821	3207	1946	60	24,652	106,112	22.77%
Week 8*	10,492	21,273	2783	2087	3123	2600	32,429	126,229	25%
Grand Totals	74,900	72,057	26,611	23,516	14,378#	28,280	243,996	948,396	~25%

* - includes materials accumulated and collected from University Printing.

# - Totals: Plastic #1 7,053; Plastic #2 2,027; Tin 4,048; Glass 1,250; Aluminum 4,254

2011 RecycleMania results. View our results from 2011.

2010 RecycleMania results. View our results from 2010.

2009 was our first effort with RecycleMania. View our results from 2009.

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The following Tables and Information are being reported directly from the RecycleMaina 2012 website.

K-State is in the Competitive Category with 160 other schools.