A national group has recognized the University of Houston’s Office of Sustainability for its efforts during last year’s RecycleMania competition.

Cincinnati-based Purposeful Networks is the leading provider of digital platforms and programs to support significant positive impact around the world. Its Student Actions Awards are based on a methodology that celebrates student progress, momentum and impact during the spring semester.

Recognition is awarded on four levels: Green, Silver, Gold and Platinum. UH was one of 53 schools to be awarded a Green Level Student Actions Award. According to Purposeful Networks, the green level designation recognizes schools where a committed group of students participated in a national program.

“The recognition we received was for our efforts during the RecycleMania competition, during which we actively got people more involved by having them use social media to post photos of themselves engaging in sustainable behaviors,” said Sarah Kelly, program manager for the Office of Sustainability.

As part of RecycleMania activities in the spring, the Office of Sustainability hosted the #UHRecycleMania Spring Break Challenge on Twitter. Students, faculty, staff and alumni were invited to upload photos via Twitter and say how they were having a zero waste spring break. All participants were entered into a drawing for a Kindle Fire HD. The participant who receives the most retweets and favorites received a free Zipcar membership and a $50 Zipcar driving credit.