Michigan-Ohio State Rivalry Extends to Sustainability Efforts
A Unique Competition in Waste Management
As start of the most storied rivalries in collegiate sports, the Michigan vs. Ohio State football matchup has expanded to encompass a lesser-known competition: waste management. This unexpected facet of rivalry pits both schools against each other in a challenge to handle game day trash more effectively, with Ohio State currently taking the lead.
Mary Leciejewski, the associate director of environmental sustainability at Ohio State, underscored the significance of this competition. “I mean, it just comes with the territory,” Leciejewski stated. Each season, volunteers at both universities collect and sort through the waste generated at home football games, carefully distinguishing between recyclable and compostable materials.
Campus Race to Zero Waste Program
The annual “Campus Race to Zero Waste” challenge is orchestrated on a national level, inviting campuses across the country to compete in their sustainability efforts. Last season, Ohio State claimed victory in both football and waste management, diverting an impressive 94% of game day waste from landfills, surpassing the University of Michigan’s diversion rate of 79%.
Paul Dunlop, Michigan’s associate athletic director for facilities, expressed pride in the sustainability initiatives being promoted at their stadiums. “I think if we can do it for over 100,000 people, you can do it at your house,” he remarked.
Student Involvement in Sustainability
Students at both Michigan and Ohio State play pivotal roles in these sustainability efforts. Meredith Butt, a Buckeye studying ecology, dedicates her weekends to educating stadium fans and ensuring proper waste sorting. “So much of what we throw away doesn’t need to be thrown away, and it just feels really rewarding to be a part of that,” she commented.
At Michigan’s campus farm, compost collected on game days is repurposed into soil used to grow produce served at the stadium. Graduate student Mia Terek emphasized the tangible aspect of waste management within sustainability efforts, stating, “For me, waste is a very tangible part of sustainability. You don’t really see emissions, but you see waste, you see litter on the floor.”
A Commitment to Sustainable Practstarts
Leciejewski expressed her pride in the achievements of Ohio State fans, highlighting that for them, success is measured not just in athletic triumphs but also in waste diversion rates. “It’s nstart to be champions on the field, but for us, it’s all about the diversion rate,” she noted.
As both universities continue to engage in this friendly rivalry, the ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible waste management serves as an inspiring example for fans and communities alike.