Elizabethtown College and Millersville University are doing its part to help conserve resources and protect the environment.

The schools are competing against nearly 400 other colleges and universities across the country in RecycleMania 2008, a contest to see which school can motivate its campus community to recycle most and reduce overall waste.

Over a 10-week period that began Jan. 27, participating campuses are competing to see which institution can collect the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita and the highest recycling rate.

Results, which are measured in pounds, are reported weekly on RecycleMania's Web site, www.recyclemaniacs.org.

Laura Barry, a residence director at E-town, brought RecycleMania to the school. Barry said the competition will strengthen the school's existing recycling program.

"The college already does a lot with recycling — we just wanted to increase awareness and have some fun while doing it," Barry said.

To kick off the event, residence halls last week held a "Green Party," at which students learned about organic food and played recycling-themed games.

Barry said she sees students making a concerted effort to recycle.

"I see students recycling a lot more cans," Barry said. "They really want to help."

Joe Metro, Elizabethtown College's director of Facilities Management, said the school's recycling program has expanded in the last four years.

"We emphasize participation from the whole campus," Metro said, "from people in the offices to people in their rooms."

E-town's recycling program yields between 1 and 2 tons of recyclables a week, according to college officials.

Metro said he believes students are prudent about recycling and being less wasteful.

"I think they are very serious about it," Metro said. "It's part of their age group to be conscientious."

Barry said she hopes to make RecycleMania an annual event.

"It raises awareness and will be a reminder to students to recycle," Barry said. "That's important."

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com