UAA's recycling program wins 2006 Outstanding Recycling Program award

The University of Alaska Anchorage Union of Students recycling program is the recent winner of the 2006 Outstanding Recycling Program award presented by Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling.

USUAA's recycling program will be recognized for its achievements at ALPAR's Annual Awards Dinner to be held on Thursday, April 26 at the Sourdough Mining Company in Anchorage.    

Paper recycling has a long-term presence on UAA's campus.  In 2001, former Regent David Parks, with the input of concerned students, felt that recycling was a social responsibility of the university and led USUAA to start a low-level recycling program.  This was funded partially by student fees and UAA Facilities.

In December 2004 USUAA won a $28,000 Waste Reduction and Recycling Challenge Grant from the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA).  Grant funds were used primarily to purchase recycling containers and centralized recycling collection receptacles now distributed across the Anchorage campus. This MOA grant ended in Fall 2005.  

USUAA received another grant in Spring 2006 for the 2007 academic year for $26,000 from the Strategic Opportunities Fund.  This grant will pay for student employees to continue to operate the small-scale recycling program.  The program hopes to someday be able to expand to recycle aluminum cans and bottles (glass and plastic).  

For more information contact Tyler Morris at 786-1220, recycle@uaa.alaska.edu or visit http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/unionofstudents/recycle/index.cfm.