The Technology
Academy at Bon Air Elementary School was named the 2016 State and National
Champion of the Keep America Beautiful Recycle-Bowl, a national recycling
competition for elementary-, middle-, and high-school students and teachers.
Competing against nearly 1,300
schools spanning 47 states and the District of Columbia, Bon Air Elementary
students recycled 48.7 pounds of materials per student and teacher in the competition,
which took place during four weeks in Fall 2016, culminating on America Recycles
Day on Nov. 15th.
More than 700,000
students and teachers participated in the Recycle-Bowl, striving to recycle as
much as possible. According to Keep America Beautiful officials, recyclables
recovered during the 2016 competition totaled 2.2 million pounds, which
prevented the release of 3,150 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Keep
America Beautiful officials noted in a press release that this reduction in
greenhouse gases is equivalent to the annual emissions from 655 passenger cars.
Brenda Pulley, senior vice
president/recycling of Keep America Beautiful, noted: “We are so proud of Bon
Air Elementary for exemplifying the mission of Recycle-Bowl. It is encouraging
to see students get so excited about recycling both at school and at home.”
As the winner of the annual
recycling competition, Bon Air will receive a recycled content plastic park
bench, courtesy of Trex, and $1,000 worth of recycling bins from Busch Systems.
Bon Air Assistant Principal Lyndsi
Smith is delighted that the work of her students and staff is being recognized.
“Bon Air schools and our community
are committed to helping protect our environment, and participating in the Keep
America Beautiful program is another way our students, staff, and families can
make a difference. Thank you, Keep America Beautiful, for allowing the Bon Air
schools community to help the world!”