UGA Residence Halls Face off to Help the Environment

Together, the UGA Office of Sustainability and University Housing are hosting the 3rd annual Green Cup Challenge in which five residence halls are battling to shrink their environmental footprint.

Students in the Hill Community halls of Hill, Church, Boggs, Mell, and Lipscomb are vying to win the coveted Green Cup trophy by reducing their buildings' energy, water, and waste over four weeks. The event kicked off on September 12 and will run until October 9.

"This is a great opportunity for freshman to learn about conservation in a fun way that builds community within the halls," said Office of Sustainability coordinator Tyra Byers. She believes that the contest can show the students how small changes can add up to make a big difference in the world.

The residents can also participate in weekly events that raise environmental awareness such as ecolympics, scavenger hunts, and an outdoor movie in partnership with the EcoFocus Film Festival. Along the way, students can win giveaways and prizes that include gift certificates from local businesses or Green Cup organic T-shirts.

The Green Cup Challenge rewards points to residence halls based on a one-time waste audit in which they will be judged on how much of their trash could be recycled. They also will be judged by how much energy and water they save compared to previous years, and can earn even more points for their hall by participating in sustainability-related events.

The hall that reduces the most will not only get to proudly display the Green Cup trophy in their residence hall for one year but will also win competition T-shirts and a free large pizza from for each resident of the winning hall.

Past winners include Hill Hall who won the 2010 Green Cup by lowering its overall water consumption to 29 gallons per person per day.  Mell Hall, the 2009 Green Cup winner, reduced its electricity use by more than 17 percent. Lipscomb Hall did the best at recycling last year, throwing away only 21 percent of items that could have been recycled, according to the University Housing website.

Byers is hoping to get even more students participating in the 2011 Challenge. "The residents are really working hard," she said "We've heard that some students aren't showering to conserve water." 

For current rankings and tips on sustainable living please visit The Green Cup Facebook page.

Here is a complete list of the remaining events.

Movie on the Lawn
Tuesday, September 27th at 8:30pm on the lawn between Boggs and Church Residence Halls
As part of the Green Cup Competition, the UGA Office of Sustainability is hosting an outdoor film screening of a popular environmental film. The film aims to educate and inspire students participating the Green Cup competition as well as the greater UGA community on the importance of sustainable action. Popcorn will be provided!

Ecolympics and Lightbulb Exchange
Tuesday, October 4th from 6:00pm-8:00pm on the lawn between Mell and Lipscomb Residence Halls
As part of the Green Cup Competition, the UGA Office of Sustainability is hosting a series of games to educate students on how to be sustainable and have fun. Also, bring your old incandescent light bulbs and we will provide you a new, energy-efficient CFL light bulb for FREE!

Final Celebration
Monday, October 10th from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Legion Field
The UGA Office of Sustainability is hosting the final event of the Green Cup Competition. The Ecotones, UGA’s own a cappella group, will perform and food will be served. At the end of the event, the final points will be added and the winner will be announced and awarded the infamous Green Cup!