Revised "Green Grove Initiative Incentive"

The site of red and blue trash cans scattered across the University of Mississippi's Grove before a home game is not a rare one. What is rare, though, is hearing about the "Green Grove Initiative" and how it helps to enhance game day recycling.

The "Green Grove Initiative" was started during Ole Miss's fall 2008 football season and it was meant "to implement a game day recycling program" for tailgaters, according to the University's website.

Ole Miss's website for the initiative states that during the fall 2010 football season volunteers "collected 318 tons of waste on game days just from the grove alone." The primary goals of the initiative is to keep the Grove a clean, inviting space for all tailgaters by encouraging everyone to recycle.

Though the initiative has been deemed successful, there are still many game goers who are unaware of what it is and how it works.

When asked if she had ever heard about the "Green Grove Initiative," student Stevie Farrar was not even sure if she could give a correct definition of the initiative. "I think I'm correct in saying that it's where recycling bins or canisters are placed throughout the Grove during game days," Farrar said. She also admitted that if a recycling canister is in the area, she will use it, but "I won't necessarily go seek one out."

Other campus organizations have established programs in the past to help students make more earth-friendly decisions, which includes renting out bikes. "Rebel Pedals" program was formed two years ago on the Ole Miss campus, and Toran Dean, an employee of Ole Miss Outdoors, said one way they get the word out about the bike programs by setting up tables outside the Union. "Students are able to come up and ask questions about the program and get free stuff." Dean said, "I think the 'Green Grove Initiative' could be improved if there were an incentive for actually being green in the Grove," said Dean.

The "Green Grove Initiative" is a step in the right direction, but needs more attention so it can be put to use properly.

"More strategic locations and better marketing of the fact that it even exists could help people utilize the initiative more," Farrar said. "If students don't know how much it means and the impact it will have, they won't use it.