Video: Mississippi State University Receives An Award For Recycling Program

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — With more manufacturers like Toyota and retailers like  Walmart adopting Waste Reduction and recycling plans, some universities are now getting in on the trend to go green.

As student enrollment increases at Mississippi State University, so does the trash.

By Adopting a recycling plan three years ago, the university is cutting down on waste and gaining recognition after receiving the Educational Institute Recycler of the Year Award.

“We’ve seen some great success there have been bumps in the road but this is good just to fulfill the promise that we have of really being successful recycling,” says Jeremiah Dumas.

Through research, Jeremiah Dumas says they were able to locate and eliminate the root of the problem.

“In our study we found that 95 percent of the waste was in an office was recyclable,” says Dumas.

One way Mississippi State University is encouraging people to recycle more is by taking old trash cans out of offices and replacing them with containers like these.

“So in the Union or in Allen Hall or classrooms there are containers. Barnes and Noble example so we try to catch as much as we can from as many different areas, says Dumas.

Dumas believes it’s the hard work of people like Stella Ellis who helped earn their new title.

“It makes our department feel good and recycle it makes everybody get award for what they think it is a little thing and really it helped this great big idea for recycle, says Stella Ellis.

Waste Pro manager, Phillip Crossley has seen recycling increase by 25 percent in Columbus within the last year. He is now hoping MSU’s success will encourage other towns to do the same.

“We have seen a tremendous amount of activity due to the fact that Mississippi State is a leader and forefront in the recycling effort in our community, says Phillip Crossley.

So the next time you throw something away you may want to see if it’s recyclable.

Other products MSU encourages people to recycle are batteries, used oil and electronics.