By Karen Fernau
GCU News Bureau
Grand Canyon University’s commitment to recycling is so much more than its catchy slogan, “Think Green. Bleed Purple.”
During the 2016-17 academic year, GCU recycled enough materials to outweigh a blue whale and 18 times heavier than a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The University saved 129 tons of trash that otherwise would have ended up in a landfill.
That’s according to a recent report by Waste Management, a Phoenix-based company that provides waste and recycling services.
“GCU is an innovative and caring university that is increasing its commitment to recycling. We are working hand-in-hand with them to promote sustainability,” said Jennifer Rivera, Communications Director for Waste Management.
GCU and Waste Management joined forces several years ago to reduce waste by recycling clean plastic, cans, paper and cardboard.
Waste Management’s report is the first to quantify the success of their collaboration.
According to the report, GCU recycled enough to power 29 homes a year and save 1,171 mature trees.
Waste Management credits the University’s leadership and students for helping turbo-charge GCU’s recycling efforts.
“They made a concerted effort last year and it paid off. Students played a big role in the recycling success,” Rivera said.
In October, the Associated Students of GCU hosted the first-ever Green Week Reduce Reuse Recycle campaign to ramp up awareness of the benefits of recycling. In addition, the campaign provided students with recycling bins to keep in dorm rooms.
ASGCU President Nathan Carpenter said student government plans to make recycling a way of life on campus.
“We want to build a culture for sustainability, to weave recycling into every day, not just a designated week,” he said.
ASGCU expects its recycling push to resonate with students.
“Our generation is very passionate about the environment,” Carpenter said, “and we want to save the earth for future generations.”
The Waste Management report also praised GCU for educating incoming students during Welcome Week with recycling goals and email blasting students with recycling information.
Contact Karen Fernau at (602) 639-8344 or [email protected].
