The University ranks as one of the country’s most environmentally responsible universities, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company selected the

U of M for inclusion in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges, which was released in October.

Developed in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, the Guide focuses on institutions of higher education that have demonstrated an above-average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure and activities.

The University also received a grade of A in the “administration” and “ green building” categories en route to an overall score of B- in the College Sustainability Report Card, issued in November. The U of M had a score of C last year.

The U of M is expected to move into the “A” category in 2011 as the school continues to enhance its sustainability efforts. For example, in fall, more than a thousand faculty, staff and students took part in the third annual Tiger Blue Goes Green sustainable technologies awareness day on the Student Plaza. Forty-one displays showcased the numerous eco-friendly initiatives that the

U of M and community are involved in.

The University also took part in America Recycles Day November. Several thousand pounds of recyclables were collected around campus.

Recycling efforts have sky rocketed in the past year, according to U of M sustainability coordinator Amelia Mayahi.

“In 2009, the amount of recyclables that was collected was around 40,000 pounds per month, and in 2010, we averaged nearly 90,000 pounds per month,” Mayahi said.

A truck specially designed to handle recyclables has been added to campus as well as an additional 219 recycling bins.

“I want to see it become a habit where you see recycling as a necessity,” Mayahi said.