A sustainable spring at Radford University

Spring is the time for sustainable living at Radford University with lectures, recycling drives and more events to help create a better environment for all.

Anthony Cortese, founder of Second Nature, will be a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow at Radford University March 23-25.

Cortese is scheduled to give a public lecture at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 in the College of Business and Economics Building, room 320. He will speak about "The Role of Higher Education in Creating a Healthy, Just and Sustainable Society."

During his three-day visit to campus, Cortese will also meet with numerous classes and take a campus sustainability tour.

Second Nature is a Boston-based nonprofit that promotes sustainability at colleges and universities.

Cortese’s residency coincides with several sustainability efforts on campus, including the second annual GreekMania recycling event March 24-27.

Throughout the four-day, triathlon-themed competition, Greek organizations will battle to determine which can collect the most recyclable materials. Weigh-ins will be held at the Hurlburt Student Center Plaza from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the week.

Mixed containers (metal cans, glass bottles, plastic cups and No. 1-7 plastic bottles) will be collected and weighed on Tuesday, March 24. On Thursday, March 26, mixed paper (newspaper, magazines, junk mail and office paper) will be accepted. Friday, March 27, is cardboard day.

Plastic bags, Styrofoam and pizza boxes will not be accepted.

RU Recycling also wrapped up its second annual Office Clean Out event this week on March 20. Faculty and staff were encouraged to clean out their desks and office space.

"These competitions show team spirit, and at the same time, the weights brought in add up for the Radford University’s Recyclemania totals,” said RU Recycling Coordinator Pavan Mudanna.

Both events boost RU’s participation efforts in RecycleMania, a friendly competition among North American colleges and universities that benchmarks recycling programs and promotes waste reduction activities. RecycleMania ends March 28. RU set a goal to collect 100,000 pounds, or 50 tons, of recyclable material in 2015.

Follow RU's progress through the competition on the RU Recycling homepage. Final results will be announced in mid-April.

To learn more about the competitions, contact Muddanna at pmuddanna@radford.edu or 831-7207.