The University of Kentucky invites the campus community to Celebration of America Recycles Day and Achievements Toward a Zero-Waste Campus, a collaborative event hosted on Nov. 12.  

The event is hosted by the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Department of Retailing and Tourism Management (RTM), UK Recycling, the Office of University Events and the Student Sustainability Council.

“The event is truly a collaborative effort across campus,” said Tracy Lu, RTM associate professor. “It’s a powerful example of experiential learning that connects sustainability, community engagement and professional development.”

The event, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gatton Student Center Fireside Lounge, will feature an exhibit of UK’s recycling milestones, interactive activities such as recycling challenges and trivia, and educational displays designed to help students, faculty and staff learn more about sustainability and waste reduction.  

Students in Lu’s hospitality management and tourism course on event planning and coordination worked on the event, learning how to plan and execute an immersive, experience-based event that engages the community.  

“I have learned the ins and outs of the event process, how to go about getting connections and vendors and marketing to students,” said Nikki Polio, a merchandising, apparel and textiles senior from Louisville. “I am most looking forward to interacting with students and working with my team.”  

Lu said the students, through working with UK Recycling, gained firsthand insight into green event practices, waste reduction strategies and ways to make events more sustainable.  

“Seeing and supporting students who take up the mantle to advocate for recycling at UK is one of the best parts of my job,” said Ryan Lark, UK Recycling zero-waste specialist. “Each of us makes an impact, and these students' effort shows me that we are progressing as a campus towards more responsible behaviors.”

The planning team hopes that this celebration will become an annual celebration. The event is free and open to all UK students, faculty and staff.  

# # #

Writer: Bailey Vandiver, bailey.vandiver@uky.edu

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.