Colorado State Recycles 1.8 Million Pounds of Waste Per Year, Encourages More Recycling with America Recycles Day

Colorado State University, which recycled more than 1.8 million pounds of waste this year, will celebrate America Recycles Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15 on the Lory Student Center plaza. The campus celebration recognizes both university and community efforts to recycle with booths from local businesses, entertainment and remarks from Mayor Ray Martinez.

Colorado State recycled 50 percent of its waste stream last year, diverting 1,812,414 pounds – or 1,875 tons – from the landfill through various campuswide programs for staff and students. The campus recycles products ranging from paper to ink cartridges. Recycling bins are placed across campus, in each resident hall room and university apartment and within academic departments on campus.

The university last year became the first in the country to offer wind power to students living on campus. A student initiative was passed by the Associated Students of Colorado State University, or ASCSU, and the Residence Hall Association in the spring of 2004 to make the option available within residence halls and student apartments. The option costs students $17 per school year within the residence halls, or $26 per semester for students living in university apartments. The average student living in the residence halls uses 1,600 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. That equates to 2,000 pounds of coal and 3,680 pounds of carbon dioxide. Students opting for wind power help to reduce this pollution.

America Recycles Day is a national event to raise awareness about recycling and buying recycled products. This year’s theme, "It All Comes Back to You," is designed to focus attention on what citizens can do to protect resources, the environment and quality of life. About half of the people in the United States are served by curbside waste collection programs. These programs, along with drop-off and buy-back centers, divert 28 percent of the nation’s solid waste system away from landfills.

-30-