AU one of only 23 schools to receive recycling grant

Anderson University was recently awarded a Spring 2008 Recycling Bin Grant from the National Recycling Coalition and the Coca-Cola Company. This fall, numerous bottle-shaped recycling bins will be placed around campus to promote recycling at AU.

AU was one of 75 grant recipients chosen from 1,100 applications and one of only two grant recipients in the State of Indiana. The recipients represent a cross section of community groups, local governments, colleges and non profit organizations across the country.

Recipients were chosen by NRC based on a number of criteria, including where bins are likely to have the most impact on recovering beverage containers from the waste stream, ability of recipients to sustain their program in the future, and intention to support collection programs with recycling education and promotion. The Bin Grant is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and is designed to promote and support community recycling in the U.S.

“The Bin Grant program is designed to help communities and organizations jump-start or expand their recycling programs and to further promote recycling of used bottles and cans,” said Scott Vitters, director of sustainable packaging, The Coca-Cola Company. “Bottles and cans are valuable recyclables and can be reused to make new products as well as new bottles and cans. By making more recycling bins available, we hope to encourage people make recycling a habit in their daily lives.”

“The response to this grant program has been phenomenal. The extent and diversity of applications solidly demonstrates how citizens across the nation are addressing recycling on a community level,” said Kate Krebs, executive director of the National Recycling Coalition. “It’s a privilege for NRC to partner with Coca-Cola to provide recycling collection bins that will build, expand and strengthen recycling programs at school, work and play.”

Grants were awarded to a diverse selection of applicants from 40 states and the District of Columbia, including 23 colleges and universities, 21 municipalities and other local government entities, 5 K-12 schools, 10 non profit organizations and additional community groups and Native American tribes. The Bin Grant Program provides recycling bins directly to recipients and leverages the purchasing power and expertise of the NRC. Grants are offered twice a year in the fall and spring through an online application process.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.