South Lawn to host giant pile of trash on Friday
As part of its recognition of America Recycles Day, the University Division of Recoverable Disposable Resources will empty two giant bins of trash on the Lawn in front of Old Cabell Hall this Friday, totaling 108 cubic yards.
The "dump dive," which will be on display from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., is meant to inspire students to think more carefully about what objects they throw away. Organizers will sort through the trash, which will be gathered from academic buildings and dormitories, in order to show how much of what is thrown away is actually recyclable.
America Recycles Day is a national event that draws participation from 46 states, according to its Web site.
According to the DRDR, the University spends $90 on each ton of solid waste it produces. The University Recycling motto is "There are better uses for education dollars than filling a hole in the ground."
University Recycling sponsored a smaller-scale version of the "dump dive" in April, along with the Student Alliance for Virginia's Environment.
SAVE, an undergraduate group that participates in various highway cleanup events, also will assist in Friday's event.
The University recycling program was recently honored at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's annual WasteWise conference.
-- Compiled by Chris Wilson