Recyclemania: Banners are up all over the halls promoting the eight week competition, but what exactly is it?

It’s a friendly competition between not only the halls here on campus, but also nationwide. Its goal to promote sustainability by actively trying to get students to cut back on how much water and energy they consume and how much waste they generate, in order to build a greener community.

On our campus, the halls are raising the stakes a little by offering money towards sustainable programs or amenities for the top three energy-saving halls.

What can you do to get involved? Get involved by recycling, conserving, going to events and taking part in Earth Hour — unplug your electronics and hit up the darkened UA Mall on March 23 at 8 p.m. for entertainment and free pizza.

But what can you do individually to make it fun? Here are two sustainable crafts that are way more fun than you might imagine.

Record-breaking bowl
With all the thrift shops and eclectic stores on Fourth Avenue, there are tons of cool secondhand products available. Pick up some used records for this project.

What you need: – A record – Ovenproof bowl – Cookie sheet – Oven mitt

This activity is super simple. All you have to do is heat the oven to about 200 degrees, flip the ovenproof bowl upside down on the cookie tray and place the record on top of it. Stick the cookie sheet in the oven for four to eight minutes, and then take out your awesome new bowl. Be careful to let it cool and take shape before you use it.

Newsy nails
Clearly you read the Arizona Daily Wildcat, so why not recycle it in an awesome way?

What you need: – A copy of the Daily Wildcat – Light-colored nail polish – Rubbing alcohol, or vodka if you’re 21 – A bowl – A clear top coat nail polish

First, paint your nails with the light-colored nail polish. The best color for this is typically white, but light pink, purple, green and blue will do as well. Wait for your nails to dry, then pour some rubbing alcohol/vodka into the bowl (you only need only a little) and submerge each nail for about 10 seconds, one at a time.

When you pull your nail out, immediately place a strip of newspaper print on top and hold it for about 10-15 seconds. Be careful peeling it back, and repeat with a new strip of newspaper on each nail. Make sure your nails are dry before putting on the top coat!