Many students are already suffering from senioritis and beginning to celebrate the end of the semester. However, it's not quite over yet, and UB needs everyone's help to meet its end-of-semester goals.
Since 2009, UB has competed in a nationwide competition called RecycleMania. Many other colleges and universities across the country have also entered in the competition to encourage students to recycle.
Despite numerous incentives for students to participate in the 10-week competition, UB is far below its standards from last year. As of week nine, UB has recycled 41,878.50 pounds of waste. Last year, UB had recycled 50,928 pounds of waste by week nine, which is a 9,049.50-pound decrease from last year.
With one week left in the competition, UB must up the effort. Students and faculty can help by clarifying if trash can actually be recycled.
"If you aren't sure about what you're throwing away, you can visit the website [buffalo.edu/recycling] and see what's recyclable and what's not," said Emily Gibson, a junior communication and economics major and student representative for the communications and outreach environmental stewardship committee.
Also, if a student is caught recycling, or "green-handed," prizes are available and the individual's picture is printed on the website.
There are a plethora of environmental events occurring before the conclusion of the semester, including the Sustainability Bazaar on April 8, a campus-to-campus bike ride, and Earth week events. Earth week, April 18 to 22, will bring a treasure hunt, speaker series, movie nights, and a pong tournament.
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