UT to kick off new Recycle Like Rocky campaign

August 31, 2011 | Features, UToday
By Jasmine R. Neilson



The University of Toledo is continuing its efforts to be green with the new Recycle Like Rocky campaign.

rocket_recycling_artwork1Rocket Recycling Services has teamed up with partner Lott Industries again and will kick off the new year-round recycling campaign in conjunction with the UT’s first home football game against New Hampshire Thursday, Sept. 1.

The emphasis for 2011-12 will be placed on recycling bottles and cans. In the past, there was success with collecting items such as paper products and cardboard, while plastic bottles and cans have been neglected, said Marcie Ferguson, strategic plan coordinator.

“Bottles and cans are the big push this year,” Ferguson said. “Every major area that we monitor had gains last year, but our lowest gains were in the bottles and cans categories.”

At the game, tailgaters will be given clear, plastic bags to recycle their items and will be instructed to place them in the designated fenced areas in Lot 25 in front of Rocket Hall and Lot 10 in front of the Glass Bowl where Lott Industries trucks will be during home games throughout the season.

The University has set the goal of an increase in 5,000 pounds of plastic bottles and aluminum cans recycled. Last year, 19,996 pounds of plastic bottles and 21,304 pounds of aluminum cans were collected.

During the 2010-11 program, Rocket Recycling Services saw an 18 percent increase overall in its recycling efforts. With the increased efforts for the 2011-12 Recycle Like Rocky campaign, UT is looking for another jump in recycling participation.

The University is committed to reducing 20 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2014 and has demonstrated its commitment by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

“We want to be green. We want to be sure that we’re reducing the carbon footprint,” said Arlene Fell, director of environmental services.

There are 128 large and small recycle receptacles throughout the academic buildings on Main Campus. Any person or department needing extra containers can contact Rocket Recycling Services. For Main and Scott Park campuses, contact Rey Guerra at reynaldo.guerra@utoledo.edu or 419.530.1358; for Health Science Campus, contact Dan Royer at daniel.royer@utoledo.edu or 419.383.4922.

For more information visit www.utoledo.edu/facilities/recycling.

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