Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: CSU’s Waste Audit Today

Note to Reporters: A photo is available with the news advisory at news.colostate.edu.

Just on the heels of achieving the highest score ever reported to Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Reporting System, Colorado State University will hold its annual trash audit between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 5. The event will take place on the Lory Student Center Plaza.

Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Reporting System — or STARS — is a national survey that measures sustainability efforts at universities and colleges across the country. CSU scored 83.48 out of 100 possible points to earn a “gold” rating. Of the 300 universities that participate in STARS, only 18 percent have achieved gold, the system’s second highest ranking.

DETAILS: The annual Waste Audit occurs during RecycleMania and is held as part of CSU’s Housing & Dining Services efforts to reduce waste. RecycleMania is a friendly inter-collegiate competition that encourages students to recycle more. The Waste Audit is part of the competition and helps to further educate the campus community.

Last year, more than 50 volunteers turned out to sort 2,000 pounds of waste. CSU placed 29th among 524 participating colleges, ranked in the top 5 percent. CSU has been a participant in RecycleMania since 2004, and strives to maintain its position as one of the top contenders.

CSU recruits students, faculty and staff to volunteer. All trash produced by the residence halls between a 24- and 48-hour time period is collected and dumped on the plaza to be sorted into three categories: compostables, recyclables and trash. Gloves, aprons and plastic sleeves are provided to help protect clothing. Volunteers will receive a RecycleMania T-shirt on a first-come, first served basis. Register to volunteer.

CONTACT: For more information, contact Kayla Green at (970) 491-7099 or kayla.green@colostate.edu.

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