April 15, 2008 — The University of Virginia will mark Earth Day with recycling events and a focus on energy conservation.

The University's Earth Day observance will be held on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Garrett and Minor halls.

Events and displays will include a Dumpster Dive to show how much material in an average U.Va. dumpster could have been recycled, and the results of the Cabell Campaign, in which students collected recyclable items left in New Cabell Hall over the course of a week.

Free water bottles will be given to people for those who take a guess on the amount of energy saved by recycling a bale of aluminum. According to Bruce C. "Sonny" Beale, superintendent of the Division of Recoverable and Disposable Resources, recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television set for three hours. The winner will receive a gift certificate from Blue Ridge Mountain Sports.

"Earth Day celebrates and brings an awareness of both the environment and the role people play in preserving it," Beale said. "The University's participation in it demonstrates and creates an awareness of sustainability and its commitment to preserve the natural world."

Trex, a plastic lumber company, will accept plastic bags to recycle. Free buttons and magnets will be distributed to all attendees.

There will also be a variety of recycling games. Representatives will be on hand from environmentally friendly University and community departments, groups and companies, including U.Va. Dining, Students for Environmental Action, Community Bikes, Environmental Sciences Organization, Go Green Hybrid Transportation, Charlottesville Tomorrow, The Habitat Store, Waste Management Inc., the Sierra Club and environmental science students with several projects.

For information, visit recycle.virginia.edu.