GREENVILLE, Pa.—This semester, for the fourth year, Thiel College participated in RecycleMania, an international competition among college campuses that challenges students to reduce, reuse and recycle the most on-campus waste.
For an eight-week period, which began in early February, Thiel and more than 600 schools representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces competed in the nine categories of RecycleMania to see who, on a per capita basis, produces the least amount of waste and who recycles the largest percentage of overall waste. Colleges and universities submitted weight data for paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, food waste and general trash each week.
Thiel competed in the “Targeted Materials: Bottles and Cans” division and placed 52 out of 168 colleges and universities, which equals an average of 2.27 pounds of recyclables per person on campus during the eight weeks of competition. Last year, Thiel placed 72nd out of about 150 schools in the same division.
Thanks to Thiel’s participation in RecycleMania, the campus received one of 33 grants from the Alcoa Foundation, the College & University Recycling Coalition and the Keep America Beautiful organization. The bin grant program is an effort to help schools boost their results during the 8-week competition, and expand their recycling efforts throughout the year. Thiel received 75 additional blue recycling bins to help expand recycling efforts to lower campus.
In an attempt to increase awareness of the need to recycle, junior Josh Emanuelson, student-greening manager—with the assistance of Thiel’s Environmental Club members—performed an audit of recyclables found in the campus’ trash bins during RecycleMania. They retrieved 20 pounds of recyclables in just five bags of trash.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.