On Oct. 29, Vanderbilt will compete with more than 65 schools across the country in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Game Day Challenge. This is Vanderbilt’s second year taking the challenge. Last year, participating schools diverted 500,000 pounds of waste from the landfill, and Vanderbilt ranked first in the Southeastern Conference and seventh overall in the Waste Minimization category.
Get caught “green-handed”
For the Game Day Challenge, the Vanderbilt Sustainability and Environmental Management Office will recruit extra volunteers for game-day recycling efforts, and prizes will be handed out to fans who get caught “green-handed” recycling.
Fans can do their part by being aware of the waste they produce and by practicing some waste-reduction tips, such as:
- Bringing reusable food containers, plates and cups to tailgate
- Making sure that any disposable items purchased are recyclable
- Bringing only what food and beverages are needed for tailgate and taking home the leftovers
- Recycling all plastics and aluminum cans in recycling bins located on the concourse, at the gates and near every tailgate
- Buying items that have as little packaging as possible
After the game, the total waste and recycling generated will be submitted to the Game Day Challenge organizers. The winning schools will be announced in December. Help Vanderbilt score on and off the field by reducing, reusing and recycling.
To volunteer at the Oct. 29 game, contact Lindsay Walker at recycle@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 343-2784.
For more information about recycling at Vanderbilt, visit SustainVU or become a fan of SEMO’s SustainVU Facebook page.