Rapid City is going "Green!"
February 05, 2009
Rapid City Elementary has been making big strides in our efforts to become “green." For schools meeting 10 out of 20 criteria in energy and environmental activities, the State of Michigan will designate that school an “Official Michigan Green School.”
We have exceeded the required criteria and we are now in the process of applying to receive our designation.
We have also enacted a RC Elementary Green committee to further the efforts to teach our children about the importance of environmental stewardship, renewable energy, energy conservation, protection of endangered species, and waste reduction and recycling, just to name a few. The Green Committee plans to implement programs that will work toward these goals. To become a member of the Green Committee to help us with these goals, please call Rachele Cummings at 231-331-7744.
You may have noticed recycling bins in the north entry of the school. These are available to collect cell phones, batteries, CDs, and ink cartridges. The school then sends these items in to be recycled and receives in return money we can use toward school programs. If you have any of these items please don’t discard them; let us put them to good use.
RECYCLING MADE EASY
What if you could help the environment by reducing waste, and help Rapid City Elementary profit at the same time?
Bay Area Recycling for Charities is a non-profit organization that collects recycling materials and sells them to companies that can reuse them. For a small fee ($10 for regularly scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly pick-ups, or $20 for a one time pick-up) Bay Area Recycling will pick up your recyclables. The profits from the resources collected will be contributed to the charity of your choice. We hope that you will make Rapid City Elementary the charity you choose.
The local drop-off recycling centers in the area are limited as to the types of resources they will accept. Bay Area Recycling for Charities accepts a much more extensive list of items. They will collect all of the following:
*Paper/Cardboard
*All Plastics (from #1- #7)
*All metals (aluminum cans and foil, tin cans, all non-steel metals, copper, galvanized steel etc.
*Glass (all colors, mirrors, plate glass)
*Electronic waste (fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and incandescent bulbs, car batteries, household batteries. Any item electricity flows through (electric cords, old Christmas string lights, appliances, computers, etc.)
*Organics (food waste, yard waste, Christmas trees, untreated lumber, clean gypsum sheetrock.
*Miscellaneous (motor oil, tires, textiles)
Imagine if the Rapid City School families all took advantage of this program, we could greatly reduce land fill use, and put our garbage to use by donating it to a company that will return a profit back to the school.
If you would like to arrange for recycling pick-up, or have any questions, please call Andy at Bay Area Recycling for Charities at 231-884-3417 or visit bayarearecycling.net.
