SWACO’s School Recycling Champion program launched at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. The program presents schools with resources to help implement recycling education with kid-friendly activities. It also offers funding assistance to schools to help purchase recycling containers to encourage students and staff to participate in the school recycling program, and through their actions making a difference within their community.
To give thanks to the schools involved in SWACO’s School Recycling Champion program, we are highlighting program successes from previous years which have paved the way for the success of the program. The development of SWACO’s School Recycling Champion program could not have been possible without the partnership and collaboration with the Arts and College Preparatory Academy, Columbus City Schools, Columbus School for Girls, Hilliard City Schools, South-Western City Schools, Upper Arlington City Schools, and Westerville City Schools.
Each of these school systems provided valuable input into the development and testing of the Recycling Champion program and improved their schools’ recycling programs in the process! Special thanks to Columbus School for Girls, JC Sommer Elementary School, Oakmont Elementary School, Westerville Central H.S., and Windermere Elementary School for their hard work during our pilot phase. These initial partnerships offered valuable insight and highlighted specific areas of need and are now serving as models for newly established programs throughout surrounding districts, helping to implement recycling practices on a wider scale.
We also want to thank Hilliard City Schools for their exemplary work reducing waste throughout the district. In 2019, Hilliard City Schools improved its recycling program with funding and technical assistance provided by SWACO, which helped to support the purchase of new recycling containers and signage. These resources used within classrooms helped to facilitate a conversation around recycling and educate students, and staff, on the difference they can make in their community through conscious, simple decisions. As a result, Hilliard City Schools contributed to the diversion of 69,700 lbs. of co-mingled recyclables from the landfill!
Each partner worked with SWACO to make a true impact in their school buildings, educate students on the importance of waste reduction and recycling, and serve as an important example throughout the community. Congratulations to these School Recycling Champions!
To download SWACO's educational recycling resources and to learn more about School Recycling Champion program eligibility, please visit our School Recycling Resources web page and select 'Recycling Champion and Funding Recognition Program'.