KNOXVILLE — Today, when you walk through the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, something might seem a bit out of place.
That something is Mount Trashmore, a visual representation of the trash and recycling generated by the campus over the course of an hour. It’s being displayed in the middle of campus as the kickoff to Earth Month at UT Knoxville — a month of programs and activities designed to educate members of campus and the public about environmental issues.
The mountain itself roughly will estimate what the assembled trash of just an hour at UT Knoxville would look like if it all were piled into one place. Jay Price, environmental coordinator for the campus’ facilities services department, says Mount Trashmore has two meanings.
“UT Knoxville does a great job with recycling — more than 2 million pounds every year,” said Price. “But it’s important for people to see that there’s a lot more we can do, and Mount Trashmore really sends the message home.”
The campus generates more than 46,000 pounds of trash a day and nearly 70 percent of that — mostly paper — could be recycled.
Mount Trashmore will be located on the Joe Johnson-John Ward Pedestrian Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Information on Make Orange Green, UT Knoxville’s environmental program, will be available, as well as information on events taking place throughout April for Earth Month.
This year, Earth Month features speakers, movies and a number of opportunities to get involved in the Make Orange Green program. This Wednesday will kick off a weekly “Lunch and Learn” speaker series, as well as a weekly environmental film series.
The Lunch and Learn lectures take place from 12:15 to 12:45 each Wednesday in Room 221 of the University Center, while films will take place at 7 p.m. each Wednesday in April in Room 27 of the Alumni Memorial Building.
More information, including a complete Earth Month schedule and background on Make Orange Green, is available on the Make Orange Green Web site: http://environment.utk.edu.
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Contacts:
Jay Mayfield (865-974-9409, jay.mayfield@tennessee.edu)
Sarah Surak (865-974-7780, ssurak@utk.edu)