PART III OBJECTIVE 2: WASTE REDUCTION
Alicia Moore from the Howard County Recycling Division gave a presentation to each grade and staff at Forest Ridge about the importance of recycling and the items which Howard County accepts for recycling.
FRES Students Recycle
Forest Ridge Elementary (FRES) students are recycling both in the lunchroom and in the classroom. In addition to the paper, plastic, bottles, and aluminum cans collected for Howard County recycling, we send many items to TerraCycle.
Lunchroom collection for Howard County recycling
There's Even More to Recycle When You TerraCycle!
Items collected and sent to Terracycle earn FRES points that can be redeemed for cash or can be given to charity.
Students pack up candy wrappers, snack bags, cookie packaging, and juice pouches to send to Terracycle.
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Items we recycle through Terracycle as well as other venues:
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Terracycle Awards FRES with
Special Recognitions
Charitable Gift Givers for January 2012
Our big-hearted kids opted to use our $350 worth of Terracycle points earned in 2011-2012 to give to other people in need around the world.
We provided:
- 25 people with clean water for one year
- One meal to 25 American families facing hunger
- 10 baby chickens to a needy family
- School supplies to 15 homeless youth.
FRES was featured on Terracycle's Website with our picture and an interview about our recycling efforts.
Quotes From the Kids -
" I think we should donate our points instead of get money because our points will help others a lot more than it will help us."
"It's so cool that we can use our trash to help needy people."
STUDENTS HELP PACK UP JUICE POUCHES TO SEND TO TERRACYCLE DURING THEIR LUNCH.
Leaders in Terracycle Brigades!
More Success Due To Outright Enthusiasm
As a result of our unbridled success with collecting and sending in our Chip Bags, Juice Pouches, and other Terracycle Brigade items, we've been recognized on Terracycle's website and rewarded each time with a prize of an extra 500 points!
Over 2000 glue sticks and glue bottles sent in for recycle with more on the way!
Really! Just From Recycling?
$ $ $ $
In 2011-12 we earned $350 (given to charity)
So far, in 2012-13, we've earned over $400 cash that we'll use to help our school become even greener!
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Visuals and posters are used in the cafeteria to remind students about recycling and what items are recyclable.
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Recycled Valentine's Day Boxes
For Valentines Day, the 4th grade teachers held a voluntary Valentines Box competition. During the Valentines Day party, valentines and candy were delivered to the boxes. The boxes were made from old shoe boxes, Kleenex boxes, and cardboard scraps. Way to recycle, 4th graders!
Media Specialists Save Paper
In an effort to save paper when teaching over 700 students, the media specialists have modified their worksheets when possible so that two worksheets are contained on one piece of paper, rather than putting one worksheet on one sheet.
In an effort to save paper when teaching over 700 students, the media specialists have modified their worksheets when possible so that two worksheets are contained on one piece of paper, rather than putting one worksheet on one sheet.
Students Encouraged to Reuse Bags
During the book fair sponsored by the Media Center in the fall of 2012 students and parents were encouraged to put their purchases in bags, which they brought from home, rather than use plastic bags supplied by the book fair. Students who brought in their own bags had their names entered in a raffle, where every day a name was drawn to win a free book.
During the book fair sponsored by the Media Center in the fall of 2012 students and parents were encouraged to put their purchases in bags, which they brought from home, rather than use plastic bags supplied by the book fair. Students who brought in their own bags had their names entered in a raffle, where every day a name was drawn to win a free book.
Book Swap Day
At the end of each school year we have a book swap. The students recycle books they have read for ones they have not. All the students have new books to read over the summer!!
Sign Up Genius is a tool we use at Forest Ridge so we can save Paper
Alexis Cramer, a K teacher and a member of our green team, presented this idea to our staff at a regular staff meeting. Now teachers use SignUpGenius to organize class parties, get volunteers for field trips, and request supplies.