Source: Joe Myers, 785-532-1794, okia@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu
Friday, Oct. 7, 2011
Game day goes green: K-State participates in game day recycling challenge Oct. 8
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University is taking on the challenge to go green with the 2011 Environmental Protection Agency Game Day Challenge, Saturday, Oct. 8. The recycling challenge will take place as part of the K-State vs. Missouri football game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game starts at 2:30 p.m.
"The main goal of the challenge is for schools to design a waste reduction plan for one 2011 regular season home football game and measure the results," said K-State's Joe Myers, physical plant supervisor with Division of Facilities' grounds maintenance
K-State's plan is designed to lower the waste generated at football games and increase awareness and participation of students, faculty, staff, fans and the community in waste reduction programs.
Competing against more than 65 universities, K-State's challenge activities will consist of a variety of recycling efforts. During tailgating time, members of Students for Environmental Action, student volunteers and K-State staff will be distributing blue recycling bags and informing people of what materials are recyclable.
Inside the stadium, vendors and concessions facilities have been encouraged to participate in recycling efforts, and numerous recycling containers will be placed throughout the concourse. Public service announcements will also be played throughout the challenge to remind game-day participants of the importance of recycling.
After the game, all the plastic bottles and cans that have been collected, or that fans have left behind, will be sorted at K-State's recycling center.
Participating universities can win the challenge in several categories, including least amount of waste generated per attendee; greatest greenhouse gas reductions; highest recycling rate; highest organics reduction rate, specifically food donation and composting; and highest combined recycling and composting rate. Results of the challenge will be announced in November.
Myers said the challenge is a great way for K-State to reach out to the community on waste reduction issues, and he encourages all to participate.
"I think it's important for us to reduce our waste and to reduce the negative impact of that waste," he said. "By making an effort to encourage recycling and waste reduction, we will benefit by producing less greenhouse gases along with a reduction in air and water pollution.
Volunteers are needed from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday to pass out bags and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday to help sort at the recycling center. To volunteer contact Juergen Greve at jrg8@k-state.edu or 785-633-2101.
More information on K-State's Game Day Recycling is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q19i3wnqLc.
