BY NBC 29 News

One of the biggest Earth Day activities was on Grounds at the University of Virginia. Student conservationists were busy Tuesday encouraging classmates to think twice before they pitch their garbage. They went all out to make their message heard.

Earth Day started at the University of Virginia with a dive into the dumpster. "I get a lot of strange reactions when I jump in the dumpster," shared fourth year Lindsey Daniels.

The trash came from a first year dorm. Daniels spent time showing students how much of it doesn't have to be there.

Recycling at UVA keeps more than 4,500 tons of waste out of landfills every year. It also brings in a little bit of cash to the university: one bale of aluminum cans was worth $300.

Daniels says recycling the cans also amounts to big energy savings. Daniels asked one student, "How many days you could run your tv, power your tv, with the energy saved by recycling these cans?" The answer is 4.3 years.

What was the reaction to Earth Day on Grounds? Second year Leah Davis said, "I'm slightly surprised because I did not think people cared this much, but I am glad to see it because I really think it's worthwhile."

Last year, UVA earned more than $200,000 by recycling. The students have a goal of recycling half of all the university's garbage by 2012.

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