ELON, N.C. – The Elon University Department of Athletics has partnered with the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Services to launch the 'Mind the Bin' campaign at athletic events. The three departments have teamed up to offer new stations at athletic venues to collect compost, recycling and trash in order to divert waste from landfills.
 
Phoenix fans heading to Alumni Gym and Rhodes Stadium this weekend for basketball and football events may notice these new and improved trash and recycling stations placed throughout the venues.
 
In an effort to divert compostable and recyclable items from the landfill, Elon Athletics, Environmental Services and the Office of Sustainability are asking everyone in attendance to 'Mind the Bin' before placing items in the trash.
 
"We're thrilled to team with the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Services for this initiative," said Elon Director of Athletics, Dave Blank. "We have a large number of fans attending athletic events on a weekly basis and the new 'Mind the Bin' stations are a great way for our fans to assist in diverting unnecessary waste from landfills." 
 
As part of the campaign, all receptacles for compost, recycling and trash are clearly colored and labeled and are conveniently located next to each other in a single 'Mind the Bin' station. Color coding is as follows:
 
• Orange = Compost
• Green = Plastics, Glass and Metals
• Blue = Paper
• Black = Trash
 
Some items can be confusing, so in order to help fans become more accustomed, Phoenix student-athletes are volunteering to monitor stations at football games at Rhodes Stadium.
 
The new 'Mind the Bin' stations were used on Oct. 25 when the Elon football team faced off against Richmond at Rhodes Stadium. Nearly 300 pounds, about 30 percent of the waste produced from concessions at the game, were diverted from the landfill and recycled or composted instead.
 
Generally, a minimum 90 percent diversion rate is standard for events and facilities that claim to be 'zero waste'. There are numerous benefits to diverting waste from landfills; it saves money, energy and space; in the case of composting, adds nutrients back into soil; and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
 
"With bins that are standard in color, signage and location, we hope our diversion rates will increase as people become accustomed to the bins and automatically put items in the appropriate bin without having to think about it." commented Jessica Bilecki, education and outreach coordinator in the Office of Sustainability.
 
Mind the Bin stations are mobile and may be used at future campus events as well.