The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control recently presented a check for more than $7,375 to four Sussex Technical High School students to help continue their recycling community service project at the school and expand it into three area elementary and middle schools.
As part of a national technical school leadership development organization called SkillsUSA, seniors Rachel Southmayd and Sara Baker and juniors Taylor Pridgeon and Emily Southmayd began a recycling program at Sussex Tech last school year for their community service project.
The program received first-place honors in the state Skills USA competition and fourth place at the national convention in Kansas City, Mo.
This year, instead of beginning a new SkillsUSA project, the students decided to expand upon the existing one and establish recycling programs in other schools.
The Sussex Tech students wrote letters to various area elementary and middle schools asking if they would like to be part of the program. Milton Elementary, Milford Middle and Smyrna Elementary schools responded back asking for help.
The students then wrote a grant application to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Governor’s Recycling Public Advisory Council.
According to Division of Air and Waste Management Director James D. Werner, the aim of the grants is to reduce the amount of municipal solid waste generated and disposed of in Delaware landfills and to contribute toward the state’s goal of recycling 51 percent of this waste.
“People are more inclined to recycle if it is convenient for them,” said Werner. “Having this program in the schools helps provide that convenience.”
Since beginning its recycling efforts last year, Sussex Tech has recycled an average of over 19,000 pounds each month for the past four months. Money from the 2009 grant will be used to buy recycling bins for Milton Elementary, Milford Middle and Smyrna Elementary schools. Sussex Tech will also purchase 10 additional large bins for its commons area. Dumpsters at Sussex Tech are provided by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority, which empties them every week at no cost.
“If started early enough, recycling can become a lifestyle for a child,” said Kevin Mumford, principal at Milton Elementary School. “We can’t thank Sussex Tech enough for helping us teach our pupils how important it is to take care of our environment.”
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