For one night in Athens, it’s encouraged to dress trashy.

The Sustainable Living Organization, Sierra Student Coalition and Green Network are working together to host the first Trash Dance from 8 to 11 tonight in the Baker University Center Ballroom.

Dancers are encouraged to follow the theme of “Wear It Out” by using recyclables as part of their formal wear, whether it’s a newspaper skirt, light bulb earrings or thrift store accessories. DJ Self-Help, who has spun discs at Dance or Die at The Union and International Dance Night at Casa Cantina, will play music for the event.

“There aren’t many opportunities to dress up in Athens, and we thought it would be great to contrast a formal atmosphere with trash,” said Sarah Dewitt, dance coordinator from the Office of Sustainability. “We’ve seen work done by designers made from recyclables and were very impressed by that.”

The dance is part of a kick-off effort for Recycle Mania, which officially began this week, Dewitt said.

Recycle Mania started at Ohio University in 2001 as a recycling competition between OU and Miami University and has grown to include 400 schools across the country this year.

Last year, OU students recycled 20 to 25 percent of the total waste on campus. There is room for improvement, given that 70 percent of the total remaining waste was still recyclable, said Ed Newman, head of campus recycling and founder of Recycle Mania.

OU has never won Recycle Mania even though it is the original home of the competition.

“As a Recycle Mania kick-off, we want this to be a zero waste event. We salvaged a bunch of materials from campus recycling for decorations and we’re making a disco ball out of CDs. Baker Catering will use china for the catered food so there’s no waste there,” DeWitt said.    

If the dance is successful, the Trash Dance will become an annual event, she said.

Tickets are available from 1 to 5 p.m. today on the first floor of Baker Center for $5, or can be purchased at the door for $7. Members of the sponsoring organizations and students who choose to join them upon purchasing tickets only pay $3. All proceeds benefit the Sierra Student Coalition and Sustainable Living Organization.