Residence halls are recognized for increased recycling efforts

"The increase is due to the chairpersons being motivated and dedicated to the project," said Becky Donofrio, Residence Life recycling coordinator.

"They have been dedicated enough to start new collection programs and advertise the program in their halls," she said.

Donofrio, an environmental sciences senior, held an end of the year dinner last night in Maricopa Residence Hall to recognize the efforts of the residence hall recycling chairpersons.

Yuma Residence Hall was awarded for collecting the greatest amount of aluminum per resident. Yuma residents collected a total of 499 pounds of aluminum, an average of 3.47 pounds per resident.

Residents of Apache-Santa Cruz Hall finished second, collecting 1,127 pounds, or 3.23 pounds per resident, Donofrio said.

She said all of the money raised by the recycling program, which is in its third year, goes back into the budget for residence hall governments.

Apache-Santa Cruz recycling chairwoman Phoebe Hunter, a geography senior, said the recycling program earns about 40 cents per pound of aluminum. She said that rate fluctuates, depending on the value of aluminum.

"With the money from last year's recycling program we purchased posters and saw a dramatic increase (in recycling)," said Cara Quade, Yavapai Residence Hall recycling coordinator and pre-nursing sophomore. "It really increased awareness."

At last night's reception, Donofrio said she gave each recycling chairperson a T-shirt made of 50 percent cotton and 50 percent recycled plastic in recognition of their contributions this year.

The chairpersons also received a $40 gift certificate to the University of Arizona bookstore, Donofrio said.