Congratulations to Moon Area HS -- Leading the way through aluminum can recycling

Since we're talking about ways to help the earth this week, I wanted to take the time to applaud some local students who are making a difference. Throughout the 2013-1014 school year, students from Moon Area High School (Moon Twp., PA), accepted the Alcoa Aluminum Can Recycling Challenge and came out on top as winners. This is the first year for the recycling competition, which is facilitated by the Pennsylvania Resources Council. 

A total of 30,657 beverage cans were collected during the five-month challenge, with Moon Area HS leading the way, despite the tough competition from the participating schools. In addition to Moon Area HS, there were four other schools that took up the challenge: Donegal Elementary School, Jeffery Primary School, Keystone Oaks Middle School, and Level Green Elementary School. 

"This competition was a great way for our science/environmental club to engage a large group of students and expand our recycling program here at Moon High School," said Andrea Schriver, a teacher at Moon. "In the last month of the competition, we challenged the entire school to contribute through their science classrooms, and everyone came through in a big way!"

Each of the schools involved in the challenge received recycling containers and signage. There were also classroom education and assembly programs. Through these programs, PRC was able to teach thousands of students in first through twelfth grades about resource conservation. "The goal is to encourage these schools to continue to recycle the aluminum cans long after the competition ends and to sustain their positive impact on the environment," explained PRC Regional Director, Justin Stockdale.

As excited as I am for the schools who participated and the lessons learned by the students, I must say I am surprised and disappointed that only five schools accepted this challenge. Here's hoping that next year will see a significant increase in numbers for a program that not only helps the environment, but helps develop a greener mentality in all who participate.

If you're in the Western PA area and want your school to get involved, contact Sarah Shea at the Pennsylvania Resources Council by phone: 412-488-7490 ext. 236 or by email: saraha@prc.org.




Caring for the earth right alongside the rest of you,