Members of the OU community have teamed up with RecycleMania, a college recycling initiative and competition, to encourage students, faculty and staff to make more eco-friendly life choices.

OU is competing against other universities from across the nation over a 10-week period by reporting recycling and trash data. The data is ranked according to the largest amount of recycled material and trash per capita, and the highest recycling rate, the program’s Web site, recyclemania.org, states. Universities can track their progress every week, the Web site states.

The OU group hopes to recycle 100 tons, said Amanda Hearn, OU’s RecycleMania spokesperson, in an e-mail.

“Our total campus goal is to recycle 200,000 pounds of paper, plastic and aluminum during the next 10 weeks,” Hearn said. “There will be large display gaug es on campus measuring the total pounds recycled thus far.”

There is a set goal for measurement purposes, but Hearn said she hopes the program has a more lasting effect.

Hearn said she hopes students, faculty and staff will make a lasting improvement in their personal recycling habits after the program ends.

“[We] want to challenge the OU community to increase their individual recycling efforts and minimize waste,” she said.

Campus groups like OUr Earth will also be involved in helping OU reach its goal.

“These passionate students will assist in educating the OU community about the impact of recycling and waste minimization,” Hearn said.

Danny Terlip, electrical engineering senior and member of OUr Earth, said RecycleMania is a good way to raise awareness and is an investment in OU’s future.

“OU’s participation in RecycleMania is an excellent sign that the University is heading in the right direction in terms of securing a better world for future generations,” Terlip said.

The program also shows the rest of the nation OU’s desire to conserve, Hearn said.

“[RecycleMania] represents the University’s commitment to sustainable initiatives and social responsibility,” Hearn said.

RecycleMania is a part of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, Hearn said. Norman was one of the charter signatories in the commitment, she said.

Students, faculty and staff also have the opportunity to win a mo-ped or $500 in Sooner Sense, Hearn said.

Members of the OU community can register for the drawing by completing an educational survey. Details can be found at ou.edu/recyclemania.