Georgia Tech is a consistent leader in campus environmentalism, most recently ranking first in the Atlantic Coast Conference for Waste Minimization in the 2013 Game Day Challenge.

In this nationwide recycling competition, 88 colleges and universities track collections of recyclable materials during home football game days. At Georgia Tech’s seven home football games this season, tailgaters and fans diverted 13.2 tons of bottles and cans from landfills with the help of more than 100 student volunteers, who provided bags at tailgate sites and took collections from fans entering Bobby Dodd Stadium and also from concessions.

“The Gameday Recycling Program is a true team effort,” said Cindy Jackson, associate director in the Office of Solid Waste Management and Recycling. “We depend on fans, student volunteers, the Athletic Association, and collaborating departments from across campus to make it a success. Georgia Tech’s true school spirit shines through in the way that everyone embraces the program and makes it part of their gameday experience.”

Tech’s Gameday Recycling Program began in 2008 and has helped recycle 112.4 tons of material since its inception. This year’s season high happened during Tech’s Homecoming game against Pittsburgh on Nov. 2, when 31 percent of waste generated by tailgaters was recycled. Season averages were 23 percent for tailgaters, and 5 percent for attendees in Bobby Dodd Stadium.