Saint Joseph’s University Attains First Place A-10 Status in Collegiate Recycling Contest
SJU came in first place among Atlantic 10 Conference schools in the recently completed national Recyclemania contest. Overall, SJU ranked 112th out of the 288th schools entered and 8th out of 23rd within Pennsylvania schools.
Recyclemania is an annual 10-week competition among colleges and universities nationwide to compare quantities of materials collected for recycling. Recycling prevents disposal of waste in diminishing landfill space and conserves raw materials, saves energy and reduces the consumption of non renewable resources. Materials collected include paper, plastics, metals and some forms of regulated waste such as batteries and florescent bulbs.
A number of recycling stations have been located throughout our campus for the drop off of recyclable materials. These include the familiar blue containers in most of our buildings as well as the “Big Belly” solar powered stations located outside. In the 2011 contest, SJU recycled approximately 31% of total campus waste, a 10% increase over the 2010 contest.
This year’s outstanding results were the result of the combined efforts of our students, faculty and staff and the support of our full time recycling employees. In particular, thanks and appreciation goes to Housekeeping employees Ruby Robinson and Alexis Caban and SJU Students Dylan Zdanavage, Katelyn Prostak, Anthony Marsella, Jesse Riveria, Paul Denis, Matthew Douglas, Brandon Plasha and Nathan Gay. These students assisted Ruby and Jesse in the collection of recycling materials.
In addition, a contest was held as an incentive to increase the recycling rate among students. The RA’s held a Recyclemania bulletin board contest in the Residence Halls. The winners were: Samantha Stephens & Meghan Weisbecker, both received gift cards for their creative concepts. Congratulations to all of the student body, who stepped up as a whole, increasing their recycling efforts, bringing an increased awareness to sustainability on campus. All residence halls participated in an outstanding way. A contest for the highest residence hall recycling totals is too close to call at press time. A pizza party will be awarded to the winning hall when the tally is completed
The campus recycling program and Recyclemania contest is managed by the Auxiliary Services and Environmental Health and Safety Departments within the Administrative Services Department. Guidance and support is provided by the University Sustainability Committee’s Recycling work group, under the direction of Mary Feeney.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has commended Saint Joseph’s University for participating in the Recyclemania contest.
Open the above link to find out the latest information on items acceptable for recycling at Saint Joseph's University as well as drop off locations and pick up schedules.
RecycleMania contest
RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities. Over a 10-week period, schools report recycling and trash data which are then ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or have the highest recycling rate. With each week’s reports and rankings, participating schools watch how their results fluctuate against other schools and use this to rally their campus communities to reduce and recycle more.
Recyclemania 2010 results
· Saint Joseph’s University entered the 2010 Recyclemania contest on January 17th 2010. The 10 week recycling contest ended on March 28th. Approximately 74 tons of comingled materials were recycled during the contest, compared with the 2009 total of 54 tons. The difference is due to the addition of shredded paper, not included in 2009. Overall, approximately 21% of the combined total of landfilled plus recycled campus trash was recycled. This is an increase of approximately 5% over 2009 contest totals
For details and a graphical representation open this link: Recycle 2010
******************************************************************************
************************************************************************
Previous Recyclemania Results:
2009:
Saint Joseph’s University’s participation in the 2009 EPA “Recyclemania” contest concluded on March 29, 2009. SJU generated an average of 5.47 tons per week of recyclables since the contest began. This is an increase of 88% of materials recycled when compared with the 2008 contest.
For more information, go to the RecycleMania website: http://www.recyclemania.org/
Details of 2009 Recyclemania contest
Thanks for recycling.
**************************************************************************
2008
Graphical Representation
Spreadsheet data (in tons)
| Roll-off Containers | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merion Gardens | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | |
|
Commingled Containers |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.13 |
0.00 |
0.71 |
0.19 |
0.27 |
0.29 |
0.00 |
0.83 |
|
|
Cardboard(OCC) |
0.67 |
0.28 |
0.21 |
0.00 |
0.19 |
0.01 |
0.45 |
0.07 |
0.00 |
0.01 |
|
|
Newspaper |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.02 |
0.03 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.00 |
0.01 |
|
|
Total |
0.67 |
0.28 |
0.34 |
0.00 |
0.92 |
0.23 |
0.77 |
0.41 |
0.00 |
0.85 |
|
| Sourin | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | |
|
Commingled Containers |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.40 |
0.21 |
0.20 |
0.42 |
0.22 |
0.22 |
0.23 |
0.37 |
|
|
Cardboard(OCC) |
0.00 |
0.86 |
0.63 |
0.01 |
0.21 |
0.42 |
0.01 |
0.03 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
|
|
Newspaper |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.06 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.00 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
|
|
Total |
0.00 |
0.86 |
1.09 |
0.23 |
0.43 |
0.84 |
0.24 |
0.27 |
0.25 |
0.39 |
|
|
Rear-Load Containers |
|||||||||||
| Cardboard(OCC) | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | |
|
Simpson Power |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
0.14 |
|
|
Campion Center |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
1.40 |
|
|
University Press |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
0.35 |
|
|
Overbrook |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
0.07 |
|
|
Merion Gardens |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
|
|
Total |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
|
Rear-Load Containers |
|||||||||||
| Commingled Containers | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | |
|
Merion Gardens |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
|
|
Total |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
|
| Overall Tons Recycled | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | |
|
Commingled Containers |
0.04 |
0.04 |
0.57 |
0.25 |
0.95 |
0.65 |
0.53 |
0.55 |
0.27 |
1.24 |
|
|
Cardboard(OCC) |
2.67 |
3.14 |
2.84 |
2.01 |
2.40 |
2.43 |
2.46 |
2.10 |
2.01 |
2.02 |
|
|
Newspaper |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.06 |
0.01 |
0.04 |
0.03 |
0.06 |
0.07 |
0.01 |
0.02 |
|
|
Total |
2.71 |
3.18 |
3.47 |
2.27 |
3.39 |
3.11 |
3.05 |
2.72 |
2.29 |
3.28 |
|
The total recycled for the ten weeks was 29.47 tons. This included 5.09 tons of comingled containers, 24.08 tons of cardboard and .30 tons of paper. The totals by building are:
Campion: 14.0 tons
Merion Gardens: 5.27 tons
Sourin: 4.60 tons
University Press: 3.50 tons
Simpson 1.40 tons
Overbrook: .70 tons
For more information on Recyclemania, go the their website at: www.recyclemania.org
* RecycleMania charts provided by Allied Waste Recyclery
January 15, 2008
The success of Saint Joseph’s recycling program depends on the efforts of the entire campus community and so far we are doing well. In 2006, we recycled only 9.7 tons of materials on campus. In 2007, through October 31, we had already recycled 54.26 tons of paper and beverage containers on campus.
Non-rechargeable, non-hazardous batteries (carbon-zinc), such as 1.5 volt AA, AAA or 9 volt batteries used in flashlights, calculators, etc. can also be recycled. When you have accumulated used non-hazardous batteries, contact Ruby Robinson by e-mail at recycle@sju.edu or by phone at 610-660-1369 to arrange for pick-up.
All other waste batteries and florescent bulbs are not part of the recycling program, they are collected separately under the SJU Universal Waste Policy and safely disposed of. See the policy at: SJU :HSE Universal Waste Policy. Since this also keeps these items out of the environment, we are in the process of compiling numbers of their volume to measure our progress.
We will keep you informed of our progress. Keep up the good work!
*******************************************************************************
General Information:Recycling at Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University understands the importance of conservation and preserving the environment. As a result, the University is expanding its existing recycling program beginning June 1, 2007 to reduce the amount of waste on campus. The University is committed to the idea of being environmentally friendly and making recycling standard practice. In order to do this, we need all faculty, staff, and students to participate in this program.
This program will provide the opportunity to recycle office paper, newsprint, aluminum and tin cans, plastic containers, as well as computer monitors. Saint Joseph’s University, in conjunction with the Arthur Jackson Company, is responsible for recycling in all academic and administrative buildings and residence halls on campus.
The University employs a full-time recycling coordinator and one full-time employee to facilitate the removal of recycled materials. In addition, 9 work study program students have been hired to assist Ruby in our expansion efforts. The Recycling Coordinator, Ruby Robinson, can be reached by e-mail at recycle@sju.edu or by phone at
610-660-1369.
Computer monitors are now coordinated through the Information Technology Office by Rhiannon Hoover and she may be reached by e-mail at rhoover@sju.edu or by phone at 610-660-3387.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is made from our recyclables?Some of the products made from recycled material:
- Office paper
- Notebook paper
- Newspapers
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Carpet
- Traffic cones
- Flooring and window frames
- Plastic shopping bags and trash bags
Why should Saint Joseph’s recycle?
There are many reasons why we should recycle on Saint Joseph’s campus. By recycling we are saving natural resources and energy. Every ton of recycled steel saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,000 pounds of coal and 40 pounds of limestone. Every ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 22.5 kilowatt hours of electricity and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.
The University looks forward to working with all faculty, staff and students in our effort to conserve resources. Join us today--and every day-- in our efforts to be good environmental individuals.
--Office of Auxiliary Services