Valencia Takes Second in National Collegiate Recycling Competition

Valencia Community College has placed second among nearly 200 colleges and universities that competed in the waste minimization category of RecycleMania, according to final results released today.

This is only the second year that Valencia has participated in the friendly eight-week competition that ended April 2.

Schools competed in various categories highlighting ways to handle recyclables. The waste minimization category recognized efforts to reduce waste at the source.

“This not only involves our recycling efforts but also how we work, teach and learn in our facilities,” said Jerry Cochran, Valencia’s recycling coordinator, in a college-wide email he sent out shortly after final results were announced.

“We have demonstrated to our peer institutions that by reducing our waste stream, the impact on the environment has been significantly altered and the Green movement is alive and thriving at Valencia,” Cochran wrote.

“Next year’s goal is to take that No. 1 position,” he added.

Valencia placed fourth in the waste minimization category in its first year of competing.

For all the RecycleMania stats:  http://www.recyclemaniacs.org/results.aspx

For more about Valencia’s recycling efforts: http://www.valenciacc.edu/sustainability/action/Recycle.cfm