Thousands of aluminum cans snaked through buildings, coiled around lamp posts and slithered through trees and bushes Monday in an effort to promote recycling.

Cans Across Campus, a sequel to national Hands Across America and NIU’s Hands Across Campus, was held at the King Memorial Commons Monday at noon.

More than 8,000 cans,—measuring 3,000 feet—were strung together across campus, said Amanda Rutter, Student Association Recycling assistant director.

The cans were strung in front of Lowden Hall “to catch the attention of the administrators as well as students,” Rutter said.

The recycling center is trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records, Rutter said.

“There is no existing record for the can-stringing. We have to document the information and send it to them because they don’t send people out anymore to officiate,” she said.

“I would call it a sculpture on the ground,” Rutter said. The cans will make people aware of recycling problems, she said.

The cans were strung together by volunteers from Mortar Board, Alpha Phi Omega and several SA senators, Rutter said. The cost of the entire project was less than $5, she said.

“We did make sure that everything would be handicapped-accessible,” Rutter said. “We consulted with Sue Reinhardt (Services for the Handicapped coordinator).”

Cans Across Campus is part of Earth Week 1990, which is sponsored by NIU’s Student Environmental Action Committee.

“There’s an urgency to get things done on campus and throughout the whole world. It’s getting to be too late and we’re headed toward environmental collapse,” said SEAC President Michael Baltasi.

The recycling center accepts newspapers, aluminum cans, plastic milk jugs and glass, said John Lyons, recycling center director. People come from all over to recycle at NIU, Lyons said.

Judging by several NIU students’ response, Cans Across Campus was a success. “It will make people who never thought about recycling think about it,” said Jack Ahern, a junior.

“It will bring attention. It’s another visual cue that will make people think about it (recycling),” said Raj Chohan, a graduate student.

“The cans will let students know how many cans are thrown around,” said senior Todd Purdy.

“It makes a small effect. The problem of not recycling makes people think, so it’s worth the time and effort,” said SA Sen. Jordan Kagan.