MSU Athletics Launches GO GREEN Expanded Recycling Initiative
8/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Aug. 21, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University Athletics Department is launching a multiyear "GO GREEN" initiative to significantly expand its beverage container-recycling program, beginning Saturday, Sept. 1.
The first phase of the effort will focus on collecting and recycling all aluminum and plastic beverage containers at home football games. The initiative will extend beyond "deposit" containers covered by state law to include water, sports drinks and other noncarbonated beverage containers.
"This expanded recycling effort is part of MSU's commitment to sound environmental practices," MSU Athletics Director Ron Mason said. "Michigan State University has always been a supporter of the environment, and now the Athletics Department is doing its part to build on this philosophy."
MSU is partnering in the initiative with Schupan Recycling, Michigan's largest recycler of beverage containers and Tomra North America, the worldwide leader in reverse vending machines (retail store recycling equipment or machines).
The agreement will provide consumer container receptacles throughout select parking areas for each home football game. Schupan and Tomra will provide collection and processing services as well as promotional items, including a 53-foot van trailer parked outside of Spartan Stadium on game days.
"The program will be expanded over the next three years to include additional athletic events," Schupan Recycling President Tom Emmerich said. "When fully implemented, MSU's recycling program will be one the most progressive collegiate beverage container recycling programs in the nation."
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.
Tomra North America is headquartered in Shelton, Conn., and employs more than 1,500 people throughout the United States and Canada. Tomra produces 83 percent of all reverse vending machines in North America.
Schupan Recycling, a division of Schupan & Sons Inc., headquartered in Kalamazoo, is a processor and marketer of used beverage containers. The company operates multiple processing facilities and recycles billions of cans and bottles for wholesalers, distributors and retailers throughout the state.
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