MARIETTA, Ga. | Sep 8, 2017

Keep America Beautiful contributes 30 recycling bins to University’s Marietta Campus

Kennesaw State University’s sustainability efforts are growing with the help of a grant from Keep America Beautiful.

The Coca-Cola/Keep America Beautiful Public Space Recycling Infrastructure Grant provided 30 new recycling bins for the University’s Marietta Campus, expanding the overall recycling efforts to both campuses. The University purchased an additional 24 recycling bins along with the grant-funded bins to bring the Marietta Campus total to 54 bins.

“Our students are passionate about recycling,” said John Anderson, assistant vice president of facilities services at Kennesaw State. “This grant is important in improving our recycling infrastructure at the Marietta Campus and highlights the University’s commitment to boost campus recycling rates and expand our overall sustainability efforts across both campuses.”

In 2016, a recycling inventory by Kennesaw State construction management students revealed that the Marietta Campus had only three outdoor recycling bins on the 203-acre campus.

The new outdoor bins, placed in high-traffic areas earlier this spring, have already helped promote recycling among students. Since installation of the bins, Marietta Campus students have recycled nearly 1,500 pounds of cans and bottles.

“Keep America Beautiful is excited to support Kennesaw State University’s recycling program,” said Alec Cooley, director, recycling programs, Keep America Beautiful. “With the university’s focus on expanding recycling oppor

tunities and raising awareness about the importance of recycling with students, it was perfectly suited to be a recipient of recycling bins through the Coca-Cola / Keep America Beautiful Public Space Recycling Infrastructure Grant program.”

Each week, members of the University’s facilities staff collect the recyclables before the cans are compacted and sent to a recycling facility, further reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills.

Kennesaw State’s latest recycling initiative is just one of the University’s efforts aimed at growing the overall sustainability efforts. In addition to the new bins, Kennesaw State recycles cardboard during move-in for on-campus housing, collecting 4,500 pounds each fall. The dining halls also collected more than 220 tons of food waste this year, which is then turned into compost and returned to KSU’s Hickory Grove Farm.

About Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, we strive to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. Behavior change – steeped in education, research and behavioral science – is our cornerstone. We empower generations of community stewards to deliver measurable environmental, economic and social benefits. The organization is driven by more than 600 state and local Affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities and government officials. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.