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It may be the middle of winter in Central New York, but the Hamilton College community is thinking 'Green.' RecycleMania, the annual 10-week recycling competition among colleges and universities across the United States, began Jan. 29. This event is organized and operated by campus recycling coordinators and supported by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise program.

Hamilton is among 93 colleges and universities from 33 states participating in RecycleMania 2006. In 2005, Hamilton joined RecycleMania and placed 12th out of 44 schools with a recycling rate of 27.91 percent during the competition. This year, eight New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) schools have followed Hamilton's example and accepted the 'Hamilton Challenge' for league competition.

In 2005 Hamilton's recycling rate rose to 25.88 percent from 19.28 percent, in part due to the RecycleMania contest. Hamilton also reduced its waste by 87 ton, a cost savings of $4,625.

Over a 10-week period, schools compete to see the institution that can collect the largest amount of recyclables from residence halls, on-campus apartments and dining halls. Colleges report measurements on a weekly basis in pounds recycled per student living on campus. The college that recycles the most wins.

Lucas Thornblade '07 a member of the Recycling Task Force at Hamilton says that waste reduction through recycling is not the ultimate goal, rather the creation of a model for sustainable living. Thornblade said, "By sorting your own waste you become more cognizant of the energy and resources required to produce and dispose of it, increasing the awareness of an individual's impact on the environment."

In addition to Hamilton's recycling efforts the College has been able to decrease its energy consumption with renovations focused on employing conservation technology.

Two recently renovated and expanded buildings, Skenandoa House and the Science Center include geothermal heating systems. These systems utilize the warmth of the earth to both heat and cool buildings much more efficiently than conventional furnaces or air conditioners.

Additionally, Skenandoa House is powered completely by Green Power (wind, biomass and small hydro). While more expensive to purchase, green electrical power has reduced greenhouse gas production in carbon dioxide by 107.1 tons, nitrous oxide by 289.5 pounds and sulphur dioxide by 765 pounds.

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