Recycling Grants Program Awards 10 Schools

NEWS RELEASE

For more information, contact
Craig Douglass, 501-580-1608;
craig@regionalrecycling.org

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Tuesday, November 26, 2019) – The Regional Recycling District in Pulaski County recently challenged public and private schools throughout the county to create or expand recycling education in their schools. The challenge was in the form of a contest for the best education campaigns about each school’s recycling program. A total grant amount of $10,000 divided among 10 winning schools is available for this annual program. This is the program’s fifth consecutive year.

The grant applications contained the schools’ ideas for recycling programs, including whether the school had a current recycling program, what recyclables are collected and how, the number of students involved and their grade levels, other active volunteer participants, and how the grant money would be used.

Winning ideas from schools in Sherwood and Maumelle in the Pulaski County Special School District, Little Rock School District, as well as two independent and two non-profit parochial schools in Little Rock were each awarded a $1,000 grant.

The 10 winners, contact person, and a synopsis of their winning idea for use of the grant follow:

Agape Academy, Little Rock, David Scott, principal: Educational field trips; paying for the school’s recycling pick-up contract; tree planting.

Forest Park Elementary School, Little Rock; Theresa Ketcher, principal, and Page Shurgar and Julie Fiser, “Go Green” co-chairs: “Recycling Do’s and Don’ts” public service announcements; development of educational plans promoting reduction, reuse and recycling strategies; creation of sculptures and other art made from recyclable materials.

Don Roberts Elementary, Little Rock, Steven Helmick, principal, and Carman McBride, facilitator: Equipment and production of “Recycling Do’s and Don’ts” for the school’s YouTube channel.

Episcopal Collegiate, Little Rock, Dr. David Perkinson, head of school, and Sarah Higgins, contact: Buy a sewing machine and supplies for use in upcycling of old school uniforms to make new products.

eSTEM High School, Little Rock (UALR Campus), Johnecia Howard, director, and Chad Nail, contact: Add the study of food waste and composting to their current recycling program; purchase of composting containers and contracted pick-up service.

Maumelle Charter High School, Maumelle, Kimberly Willis, principal, and Charlotte Rogers, contact: Create a “Green Team;” purchase recycling containers for the school; participate in “Curbside Couture,” which uses recycled materials to make wearable garments.

Pulaski Heights Middle School, Little Rock, Darryl Powell, principal, and Faye Hanson, facilitator: Develop a recycling education program at the middle school and share lessons learned with the adjacent elementary school and mentor the school’s younger students.

Southwest Christian Academy, Little Rock, Sharon Stewart, principal, and Christina Linville, contact: Purchase of a water fountain with a water bottle refilling station; design and produce posters educating students on the need to reduce single-use plastics.

Sylvan Hills Middle School, Sherwood, Mike Hudgeons, principal, and Lyn Archambeau, contact: Purchase of movable recycling carts to facilitate the movement of larger bins inside the school; educational field trips; create and promote “Recycle Rallies” at the school.

The Anthony School, Little Rock, Dr. Blane Covert, principal, and Shana Nolen, contact: Continue recycling and sustainability programs created with last year’s winning grant award; promote and participate in Earth Day, Arbor Day, and the Great American Cleanup.

“The best recycling education begins with our school-aged children. That’s why these school grants aid in helping teach students so they, in turn, can teach their families and friends the value of recycling,” said Craig Douglass, executive director of the Regional Recycling & Waste Reduction District in Pulaski County. “The program supports our primary mission of protecting the public health and the quality of our shared environment through creative innovation, leading to the education and encouragement of residential customers throughout Pulaski County to participate in the improvement of our economic growth and environmental sustainability.”

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