Clemson University tops other S.C. schools in recycling competition

Published: April 26, 2011

Recyclemania results for ACC and South Carolina schools image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — Clemson University had the best recycling percentage of all colleges in South Carolina in 2011 Recyclemania, a nationwide recycling competition among 630 colleges and universities.

Clemson was the state’s best in the Grand Champion category, which measures the percentage of overall waste recycled. Clemson recycled 31.95 percent of its waste from Feb. 6 to April 2, the time period for the competition. The competition measures recycling rates for bottles and cans, paper, cardboard and food waste.

Out of the ACC schools, Clemson placed second behind the University of Maryland.

Clemson’s percentage in the 2011 competition was a new record for the university and was up from 17 percent in 2010.

Tom Jones, director of custodial and recycling services, attributes Clemson’s improvement to the university’s new recycling program, which started in January. More than 7,000 recycling bins have been placed in campus residence halls, offices and classroom buildings and trash cans were removed from most offices and academic buildings. The goal of the program is to make it easier and more convenient to recycle things than it is to throw them in the trash.

“It is great to see that the hard work of our recycling staff in getting these new bins around campus is paying off,” said Jones. “It is clear to see that the campus culture is shifting and that more students, faculty and staff are recycling. I’m very proud to see Clemson move in this direction.”

Overall in the Grand Champion category, Clemson placed 108 out of 288 schools nationally. That ranking is up from last year when it was ranked 225th.

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