UH made its first appearance this year in RecycleMania, a 10-week competition in which colleges strive to recycle more and waste less than other universities across the nation.’
The Daily Cougar recorded the efforts, both large and small, of UH students throughout the competition. Commuters signed up to take advantage of the city’s public transportation system at the UH Green Commuter Fair. Students and staff joined forces to plant a produce garden to provide fresher vegetables for campus dining. The UH Sustainability Task Force awarded students for doing simple green acts, such as riding their bicycles to class or eating all the food on their plates.
Preliminary results of the competition are being released today (‘UH ranks high in competition,’ News), but colleges are allowed to submit information about their recycling efforts until April 10, according to the RecyleMania Web site.’
Official results will be announced April 17, marking the end of the competition, but it should not mark the end of the University’s commitment to making the campus environmentally friendly and its students environmentally conscious.
The College and University Recycling Council, the committee that oversees RecyleMania, states on its Web site that ‘participation in the competition familiarizes students with a campus’ environmental programs and hopefully instills in them a life long habit.’
Taking part in RecycleMania is a positive first step for students to take in learning how to incorporate green practices into their lifestyles, but if those practices stop after RecycleMania ends, the ultimate goal of the competition is not reached. The only way for sustainable practices to truly have an effect is if they become a part of daily life.’
Regardless of where UH ends up in the final RecycleMania results, students should take pride in the efforts the University has put forth and continue to practice the habits they picked up during the competition.’
