What will you do with this paper when you’re done reading it? How about recycling it?

I once thought that to go green, I would have to convince Mother Nature to adopt me, cleanse me of my sins and renew me as her very own organic recycle maniac.

Being as fond of Mother Nature as I am, my 2007 New Year’s Resolution was to become environmentally friendly.

But, to my surprise, I didn’t have to get adopted at all.

What I discovered is that helping the environment on a daily basis is not an overwhelming lifestyle change, but more like a change in the little steps of life – not flushing when you don’t need to, turning off the running water while you shave or taking the extra 10 steps to the recycle bin instead of the trash are all conscious mile markers on the road to a cleaner world.

And while you’re at it, how about picking up those extra bottles and cans from your tailgate?

The Red & Black reported Friday that 70 tons of waste was disposed of after UGA’s first home game. Just think of how many bottles and cans of beer were left scattered across North Campus?

The Recycling Program at UGA reports that the energy saved by recycling one ton of aluminum could fuel a 35 miles-per-gallon car for 82,250 miles.

Now how is that for a booze cruise?

The Recycling Program also said that recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for hours.

And how about that for a Bud Light?

There are 380 buildings on campus, each fixed with numerous paper, bottle and can bins, as well as all across the campus squares. For those living on and off campus, there are 10 large recycling drop-off sites that can be found by visiting www.ugarecycles.org.

And thanks to the many improvements made in recycling technologies, many items no longer have to be separated to the same degree.

UGA students need to use the recycling opportunities on campus to protect the environment, the future of our planet and our game day tailgating privileges.

So I challenge you, my fellow tailgaters, when this Saturday rolls around, to take notice of the trash around you and help pick some up before you head to the stadium. Bring a trash bag along so there is a nearby place for everyone to throw away those bottles and cans of beer.

A little bit of trash can go a long way if 34,180 students – or for the case of game day roughly 95,000 people – contribute to picking up after one another and making a conscious effort to separate recyclables.

With that read, please remember to take this paper where it belongs.

- Kori Price is a senior from Glenns Ferry, Idaho majoring in newspapers