Mount Mercy University earned second place among more than 200 colleges and universities competing in the waste minimization category for corrugated cardboard during the national RecycleMania challenge.

RecycleMania, which wrapped up its 11^th annual recycling competition in early April, is an eight-week challenge that inspires friendly college rivalry between institutions across the country, challenging students, faculty and staff to increase on-campus recycling initiatives in order to beat other school records.

During the challenge, Mount Mercy students, faculty and staff worked together to decrease waste products and increase recycled material on campus. The total amount of recycled material came to 42,329 pounds over the course of eight weeks. On average, Mount Mercy recycled 21.86 pounds per person of cumulative corrugated cardboard.

Sustainability initiatives continue to play an integral role in Mount Mercy's strategic vision. The University has successfully launched green campaigns that encompass a wide range of campus areas, from reducing paper usage to going trayless in the cafeteria.

Mount Mercy University's Ongoing Sustainability efforts:

• Mount Mercy moved 50% of university-owned cars to hybrid vehicles, spring 2007
• Trayless dining, reducing food waste by 67%, went into effect fall 2008
• The University replaced residence hall washers and dryers with energy efficient appliances, fall 2008
• President Christopher Blake signed Presidential Climate Commitment, April 2009
• The University formed a partnership with Alliant Energy to make energy-efficient upgrades, reducing electricity usage by 25%, spring 2009
• Tracking software for copiers/printers, reduced paper usage by 40%, was implemented fall 2009
• The Biodiesel project, converting waste vegetable oil to biodiesel fuel (partially funded by Rockwell Collins), began fall 2010
• On campus Living Learning Community dedicated to sustainability (initiative fall 2010) was successfully launched

"It is part of the mission of our campus to help create a more sustainable, thriving world and to ensure we follow the tenants of the Sisters of Mercy and their commitment to being good stewards of the environment," says Colette Atkins, chair of the Sustainability Committee.