West Virginia University’s WECAN is hosting Ecolympics, a monthlong recycling challenge, for the sixth straight year.

The Ecolympics competition encourages students, faculty and staff to recycle in three divisions: individually as well as at campus buildings and residence halls.

Individuals can earn points for participating in a series of sustainable events and activities to learn ways to live a “greener” lifestyle. Events include getting a residence hall room energy audit, checking out a local farmer’s market and learning simple ways to conserve water.

For buildings, scores are based on the amount of recyclables collected per capita and the reduction of each building’s energy consumption. Turning off the lights when leaving a room, powering down computers and unplugging device chargers when not in use all contribute to saving energy. Stalnaker Hall has taken home the residence hall prize two years running, and the Agriculture Sciences Building was a first-time winner last year.

Prizes will be awarded in all categories of the competition. A person’s individual points will also count toward the residence hall in which he or she lives or the building in which he or she works. The individual with the most points will be named the 2013 WVU Ecolympian and will receive a “green-themed” prize package. The team prize for the winning residence hall will get entertainment equipment valued up to $3,000 and the top campus building will receive a two-hour work-release luncheon.

The competition kicks off on Friday with points awarded to those who participate in the Beautify Your Bin event during WVUp All Night in the Vandalia Lounge of the Mountainlair between 9 p.m. and midnight.

“Grab some friends and join in on the fun by designing your own personalized recycling bin to use in your dorm room or apartment,” said Stephanie Toothman, operation coordinator for Facilities Management Recycling Services.

A full list of competition activities and official rules can be found on the competition website at http://wecan.wvu.edu/ecolympics.

-WVU-

smut/10/01/13

CONTACT: Stephanie Toothman, operation coordinator in Facilities Management,
304.293.6379, Stephanie.Toothman@mail.wvu.edu

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