Green Hands USA: America Volunteers

Every fall weekend, college football fans across the country participate in a time-honored, pre-game ritual -- the tailgating party. Many tailgaters view their feast as the best part of attending a football game and, unlike the contest itself, the tailgating results are always a winner.

Members of the University of Rhode Island Sustainability Club saw the pre-game tailgating parties for the Rhody Rams as an opportunity to make a difference for the environment.

Last October, nine URI students recently took part in a national competition, sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, called the 'Game Day Challenge.' They chose the school's annual homecoming game as the ideal day for the competition because it traditionally draws the largest crowd of the season not to mention participants attending the pre- and post-game homecoming festivities.

Sustainability Club members passed out recycling bags to every car entering the tailgating lots, walked through the stands during the game to collect recyclables, and then made a final pass after the game to gather any remaining recyclables.

After a long day of collecting and then weighing recyclables, club members walked away with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Not only did they make a difference by disposing all recyclables properly, but they also educated tailgaters on how easy it is for them to make a difference on their own.

Cheer on your favorite team, enjoy a tailgating party and collect some recyclables -- making a difference has never been easier.