Habitat for Humanity turns trash into cash

Tailgating trash overflows on the Myers Quad

By SHAYE WEAVER

Some students at the University of Georgia have a “can do” attitude when it comes to cleaning up the school’s tailgating trash.

The university’s Habitat for Humanity chapter is digging into the game day trash problem by giving tailgaters a chance to recycle their cans.

The initiative is part of a bigger recycling program in which Habitat collects cans from schools, churches and companies around Athens. Each can goes toward funding a Habitat house, which usually costs about $75,000.

At the South Carolina game on Sept. 12, tailgaters left around 70 tons of trash on the university’s campus. In response, the university and volunteer organizations have tried to cut down on the garbage by handing out recycling bags and placing trash receptacles around campus.

North Campus had a “complete trashing,” Stenka Vulova, the Habitat recycling committee coordinator, said. “We pride ourselves on being a civic institution, and it’s ridiculous how much garbage there was [at the South Carolina game].”

Even though the university has made steps to clean up the mess, North Campus is still an issue.

“The trash situation is marginally better, though the North quad continues to be a problem area,” said George Stafford, associate vice president for auxiliary and administrative services at the university.

Though Habitat doesn’t tackle the North Campus area, they’re doing their part on the Myers Quad. Before each football game, Habitat sets up a table and hands out recycling bags to tailgaters near Rutherford Hall.

Stenka Vulova searches for recyclables at a tailgate

Volunteers are responsible for getting as many aluminum cans as possible — Vulova even reached into a garbage can to meet her goal.

“I think we’re doing a better job as a whole,” said Cameron Ruff, a freshman Habitat volunteer. “We’re giving clearly-marked trash bags, and we’ve got more cans this time.”

Habitat collected $67 from the beer and soda cans tailgaters helped recycle at the South Carolina game. Each game is a chance for Habitat to earn more money.

Cans usually go for about 30 to 60 cents a pound.

“The attention the trash problem has gotten has changed the mentality of a lot of tailgaters,” Vulova, a sophomore anthropology major, said.

Most of the tailgaters that volunteers approached were helpful and excited to hand their cans over.

“I felt embarrassed after seeing the clips of North Campus,” Julie Scoggins, a tailgater at the Oct. 3 game against Louisiana State University said. “We felt awful! We try to recycle now, even at home.”

Even though people are more conscious of the importance of recycling, some tailgaters are less concerned.

Tailgaters left cans in campus trash bins and Vulova pulled a recycling bag out of a university garbage can.

“Throwing trash willy-nilly is irresponsible,” Ruff said. “Some tailgaters have been helpful, and others have gotten mad at me.”

Vulova said she makes sure to take a positive approach when encountering tailgaters. Instead of condemning tailgaters for not recycling, it’s important to thank them when they do, she said.

“These cans can be put to good use,” said Mark Putnam, an officer of Habitat’s recycling committee. “A little can can contribute a lot.”

Last football season, Habitat made $1,000 from recycling cans. The officers and volunteers hope to match this amount this season if more students volunteer.

“If we had more volunteers, we could have two tables set up and send out more people around campus,” Vulova said. “Maybe even North Campus.”

If you would like to help Habitat for Humanity collect game day cans, contact the officers at cansforhabitat@gmail.com. Also visit Habitat’s Twitter, UGACans, and the Habitat Facebook group, “I want to touch your cans!”

Edited by Mimi Ensley