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������ will continue its recycling efforts by participating in the Game Day Challenge as part of the annual RecycleMania competition, where colleges and universities strive to reduce waste and increase recycling.

The Kent State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the sustainability program at Kent State and Portage County are teaming up to host the Game Day Challenge on Tuesday, March 5, during the men’s basketball game against Bowling Green State University.

The challenge compares schools based on recycling and waste minimization efforts made during a single home basketball game in the February and March timeframe of RecycleMania. A recycling bin will be placed next to every trash can, accompanied by a volunteer who will provide guidance on determining what is and what is not recyclable.

The Game Day Challenge is sponsored by the Portage County Waste Department to raise awareness about recycling throughout the community.

Bill Steiner, director of Portage County Waste, says a lot of the attendees at the games are local residents.

“Some people don’t really know what our district offers beyond curbside services. This game is a good way for us to reach a large audience at once,” Steiner says.

Tom Sitko, account executive for Kent State IMG Sports Marketing, says the Game Day Challenge coincides with the end of the basketball season and is a great way to help out with RecycleMania.

“Not only are we helping out with the competition, but it’s a fun to way to get athletes, fans and students involved,” Sitko says. “Plus, it’s another way for us to compete with Akron,” he jokes.

Schools will report the weights of both recyclables and trash following the game and be ranked in three game day categories:

• Waste Generation – Schools are ranked based on who has the least amount of combined trash and recycling.
• Diversion Rate – Schools are ranked based on who has the highest recycling as a percentage of total trash and recycling.
• Per Capita Recycling – Schools are ranked based on the total amount of recycling collected on a per capita basis.

“Beyond hoping the Flashes win the game, we really want people to recycle and do the right thing,” says Steiner. “We don’t want to keep relying on landfills. Sustainability really helps out with the economy.”

For more information regarding the Game Day Challenge, visit ;