From Bin to Win: Eaglebrook Dorms Compete in Recycling Challenge

Over the course of five weeks, dorms across campus participated in a friendly competition to see which could recycle the most consistently. 

Student Dorm Sustainability leaders, along with signage posted throughout all dorms, help teach students about what is recyclable. Every week, faculty members check the recycling bins to see if there is any non-recyclable waste. Friendly reminders are then left on the bin to help educate students about what should be recycled. 

The challenge determined that 81% of the school consistently recycles correctly. This rate has steadily improved year after year, as students become better educated on recycling practices. Out of the dorms, Kravis and Mayer placed third, Taylor second, and Flagler took first, recycling correctly at an overall rate of 86% and an impressive 90% in the week leading up to the challenge's conclusion. The winning dorm was announced at lunch to rounds of excited applause. Students chose an off-campus pizza party at Antonios in Amherst as their prize. 

The Recycling Challenge is one of the many initiatives managed by the student-led Sustainability Committee. The Committee remains one of the largest at Eaglebrook, with students dedicated to raising awareness about global and local Sustainability issues. 

Throughout the year, the Sustainability Committee presents numerous challenges to encourage Eaglebrook students to think critically about their global environmental impact, whether it involves recycling, food waste, or electricity use. Upcoming challenges on the horizon include the Sustainability Communications Challenge and the Consolidate Your Packages Challenge.