Solid Waste Reduction
Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge - 2015/16
Together Everyone Achieves More!
The HSES Trex Recycling Program was started by a former HSES student, Sophia Cangialosi. As part of her Gold Award, Sophia worked in partnership with the fifth grade Earth Force Team to enroll our school in the Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. The team’s goal was to collect and recycle 500 pounds of plastic film and bags over a six-month period. (November 23, 2105 – April 15, 2016) Plastic bags, dry cleaning bags, bread bags, case overwrap, produce bags, bubble wrap, and cereal bags were collected in cardboard bins outside of the cafeteria. The challenge began slowly. As the competition began to spread by word of mouth, flyers, announcements, and electronic newsletters, students, teachers, and community members started to fill the bins daily. Together, Sophia and the Earth Force team collected and weighed the plastic weekly. To get an idea of the enormity of the challenge - one 30 gallon bag will hold about 650 bags and weigh 8 pounds. In the first month, HSES recycled 16.2 pounds of plastic film and bags. In December, 93.4 pounds were collected. The team did not get discouraged. Sophia and the Earth Force Team decided to create a grade level Mini-Recycling Challenge for Valentine’s Day. Now plastic bags and film were being collected in the team pods and transported to Giant Foods weekly, sometimes biweekly. Plastic collections bins overflowed with plastic. The goal – to collect and recycle 100 pounds of plastic. The grade level team that recycled the most plastic would receive a prize. This new challenge spurred fierce competition resulting in recycling 370 pounds of plastic in one month. How long does it take to change a habit? Research says that it takes about 66 days or about 2 months. Our students and families now understood the value and need to recycle plastic. This 6-month challenge was truly making a difference!
Over 550 schools participated in this nationwide Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge. Seven schools in Maryland participated and collected a combine total of 3,887.55 pounds of bags and consumer films. Our school won first place with a winning collection of 1,971 total pounds of plastic, 2.6 pounds of plastic per student. The initial goal of the program was to collect 500 pounds. Hollifield Station proudly exceeded that goal! The Trex Company donated a Trex bench made from recycled plastic to our school. It is now our new buddy bench! If students at recess do not have someone to play with they sit on this bench. Students are encouraged to extend an invitation to those students who are in need of a buddy. Through this Trex Recycling Challenge, our students have learned the value of being part of a team and how their actions directly affect the environment. Together Everyone Achieves More!
Over 550 schools participated in this nationwide Trex Plastic Recycling Challenge. Seven schools in Maryland participated and collected a combine total of 3,887.55 pounds of bags and consumer films. Our school won first place with a winning collection of 1,971 total pounds of plastic, 2.6 pounds of plastic per student. The initial goal of the program was to collect 500 pounds. Hollifield Station proudly exceeded that goal! The Trex Company donated a Trex bench made from recycled plastic to our school. It is now our new buddy bench! If students at recess do not have someone to play with they sit on this bench. Students are encouraged to extend an invitation to those students who are in need of a buddy. Through this Trex Recycling Challenge, our students have learned the value of being part of a team and how their actions directly affect the environment. Together Everyone Achieves More!
Reducing our Waste!
Fifth Grade Earth Force Team creates survey to identify recycling needs and produces a video to inform students about recycling.
Fifth Grade Earth Force Team creates survey to identify recycling needs and produces a video to inform students about recycling.
A Recycling Revolution
HSES fine tunes its Recycling Program!
Earth Friendly Wednesdays - Waste Free Lunch, Mixed Recycling pick up, and Walking Wednesdays
HSES fine tunes its Recycling Program!
Earth Friendly Wednesdays - Waste Free Lunch, Mixed Recycling pick up, and Walking Wednesdays
Earth Force Team Works together to Earn 3 Water Bottle Refilling Station for HSES!
Hollifield Station's 2016/17 Earth Force Team is currently working hard toward their goal of purchasing three water bottle refilling stations. They would like to have them installed by April 22, 2017, Earth Day. The cost to purchase three water bottle refilling stations from Halsey Taylor is $1,500. These new water bottle refilling stations will be retrofitted to our existing water fountains making them easy to install. Our goal is to reduce the number of plastic bottles in our landfill. It takes about 450 years for a plastic water bottle to decompose. An American spends an average of $300 per year buying water in plastic bottles. Imagine the money you could save! The Earth Force Team will hold several fundraising events to earn the money to buy the water bottle refilling stations. Carrabba's Care Night will be held on March 22, 2017. Twenty percent of the total check will go to the Earth Force Team.
Written By: Earth Force Team Members - Caroline Petrilla, Abby Smith, Adria Weaver, Jeniah Terry, Pooja Dahiwadker, Emily Ho, Deeksha Takkoli, Iva Damyanova, Abhi Chandu,Pragna Yalamanchili, and Austin White.
Written By: Earth Force Team Members - Caroline Petrilla, Abby Smith, Adria Weaver, Jeniah Terry, Pooja Dahiwadker, Emily Ho, Deeksha Takkoli, Iva Damyanova, Abhi Chandu,Pragna Yalamanchili, and Austin White.