Coastal Carolina University was honored with the Outstanding College or University Program Award by the Carolina Recycling Association during its annual conference and trade show on April 10 in Myrtle Beach.

The Outstanding College or University Program Award honors a program that promotes sustainable resource use through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling on a college campus.

Coastal Carolina University recycles at least 22 different items on campus, including plastic bottles, metal cans, cardboard, office paper, books, batteries, electronics scrap, and on and on. From 2011 to 2012, the university increased its recycling 150 precent from 195 tons to 495 tons. The CCU program offers water refill stations, saving more than 348,000 plastic bottles; it also offers a recycled boat race as part of its Homecoming festivities.

The Carolina Recycling Association is a nonprofit organization serving the public and private recycling industry in order to advance waste reduction and recycling in North and South Carolina.