Student Action for Sustainability to hold 2011 Earth Day celebration

Between the mountains of snow and the frigid temperatures, it is easy to forget that spring is on its way. In spite of the crummy weather, the University of Rhode Island hosts a small team of focused individuals who are consciously aware of the impending season: Earth Day is fast approaching, and the URI Recycling Team/Student Action for Sustainability is already preparing.

The 2011 Earth Day celebration, organized by the Student Action for Sustainability, will take place on April 21, on the quadrangle (Memorial Union Atrium 1 and 2 in the event of rain).

The affair will include the usual events- vendors, booths, live entertainment and workshops.

In addition to these, the Recycling Team has enacted a new activity that extends beyond the scope of the actual Earth Day event. 

In the weeks preceding Earth Day, students from the URI recycling department will be scouring the campus, searching for the "Rhody Recycler of the Day."

In an effort to promote sustainability and educate the public, the "Recycler of the Day" program rewards students who are seen recycling on the URI Kingston campus. If a URI Recycling staff member sees an individual recycling, they may be nominated as the "Recycler of the Day." Nominees will be photographed and entered into a raffle for an Amazon Kindle. The drawing will take place at the Earth Day event.

Recycling Coordinator Mary Brennan states that the team is attempting to "set an example with students that recycling is not hard, and there are rewards both tangible and intangible for being proactive. It's not just about the Kindle- it's about the planet."

The recycling department's goal is to raise awareness, endorse proactive practices and remunerate positive behavior. Recycling is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste and benefit society. When individuals choose to recycle, they are making an investment in our campus, our community and our future.

The recycling staff would like to remind students that there are recycling bins available throughout campus. These bins house either paper products or bottles and cans. The bins are distinctly marked with stickers that designate their contents. In Rhode Island, any plastic container marked with the number one or two is eligible for recycling. Cardboard is also collected, but should be disposed of in bins that are labeled "cardboard." These bins can often be found beside dumpsters.

If students have questions or comments regarding recycling and waste disposal, they may contact Brennan by phone at (401) 874-2840 or by e-mail,at mbrennan@uri.edu. Information about Recycling at URI is also available at www.uri.edu/recycling.

Remember to keep on recycling; you may just be the next Rhody Recycler of the Day!