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Steve Hinnefeld
University Communications
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Last modified: Tuesday, April 1, 2008

"More Art, Less Trash" artistic recycling bins to be installed on campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind., April 1 -- For the remainder of the spring semester, artistic recycling bins placed around the scenic Bloomington campus will encourage members of the Indiana University community to improve their recycling efforts.

The "More Art, Less Trash" outdoor recycling initiative is being led by IU's Volunteers in Sustainability (ViS) program, which seeks to use art to inspire students, faculty and staff to recycle. ViS is an outgrowth of the Indiana University Task Force on Campus Sustainability and is supported by funding from the Office of the Provost and the Vice President for Administration.

The designs for the colorful bins were selected through a month-long competition held by ViS. Ten designs were selected by a student and faculty panel, with the top design commanding a $100 prize for the artist. Winning designs were submitted by Kelly Breeze (1st place) and Liz Bockstiegel (2nd place); other contest participants included Ray Cline, Corey McAninch, Madeline Wolfe, Mica Harrison, Nora Kayden, Heather Dowding, Abby Skinner and Rachel Wang.

"ViS has been very happy with the campus enthusiasm for the project," said Vanessa Caruso, coordinator of ViS. "From the committed artists who submitted designs to the operation units that have collaborated on the project -- Residential Programs & Services, Campus Architect's Office, Hilltop and the School of Fine Arts -- everyone is excited to see art and outdoor recycling come together on the Bloomington campus."

Placed in 10 high-traffic locations on campus, the recycling bins will collect plastic, glass and aluminum. Recyclables collected in the bins will be used to support Hilltop Garden & Nature Center's "Can-Do" program, which uses money raised from can collection to fund children's gardening programs.

Steve Akers, associate director of RPS's Environmental Operations, has been interested in seeing IU adopt an outdoor recycling program.

"As a first step and most importantly to involve students," he said, "the 'More Art, Less Trash' contest was developed to encourage outdoor recycling, capture recyclables currently entering the waste stream, and to promote outdoor art. We hope that as we monitor use at different sites, we'll gain insight into where we might locate permanent outdoor recycling bins."

During its initial period, ViS volunteers will be posted by the recycling bins, taking advantage of an opportunity to educate IU students, faculty and staff about new recycling efforts on campus. Additional information about ViS and the recycling program can be found at https://www.indiana.edu/~sustain/.