State University of New York at Oswego
ER-2: Student Sustainability Outreach Campaign

MCR: Student MRC Workers go door-to-door three days a week in their residence hall collecting recyclables (both returnable and non-returnable). The carts are hand decorated by the student workers and are provided by the building. The MRC program makes it easier for the recycling technicians, students working in the recycling center, creates recycling awareness, increases the deposit money amount and saves residents the trip downstairs. The program first began in Spring 2007 and is currently active in the residence halls. Carrot Mob: In Oswego, the student-run Green Team organized a competition among area restaurants. After hearing an explanation of the CarrotMob project, restaurant owners bid on an opportunity to be "mobbed" by SUNY Oswego students on a specific evening. Each restaurant suggested a percentage of the evening's revenue that they would be willing to put toward improvements in energy efficiency. The restaurant committing to the greatest percent-age would receive a free energy audit, paid for through Green Team fund raising, as well as the well publicized "mobbing" itself. The winner of the competition was Canale's Restaurant, which pledged 30% of their Carrot-Mob revenues for energy improvements. On Monday evening, December 6, members of the SUNY Oswego community descended upon Canale's to enjoy an $8.00 buffet. The first 100 customers also received a CarrotMob t-shirt (made of recycled cotton). Despite an early episode of Oswego's notorious winter weather, more than 230 people participated in the CarrotMob, providing revenues of $1858.17. Canale's also provided a take-out option, which garnered another $451.46, also counted towards the CarrotMob's overall total.

This project increased recycling awareness, can deposit revenue by $320 and the overall recycling amounts of residence halls involved. Canale's Carrot Mob raised $692.89 (30% of the $2309.63 revenue brought in that night), all of which went towards improvements in energy efficiency. Carrot Mob URL: (http://www.oswego.edu/Documents/civic_engagement/Civic%20Engagement%20Newsletter%20S11.pdf)