Thirty-one schools awarded funds to enhance recycling efforts
SPRINGFIELD - The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Bureau of Energy and Recycling recently awarded $153,000 in Zero Waste School Grants to 31 Illinois schools to implement or expand recycling, source reduction, and composting/vermicomposting programs. The goal of the zero waste program is to motivate Illinois schools to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste, moving toward zero waste status.
“This program is an excellent way for youth to get involved in recycling and other waste reduction efforts while learning how to reduce their impact on the environment. These are take-away learning experiences that students will use for the rest of their lives,” said DCEO Director Warren Ribley.
All Illinois public and private schools were eligible to apply for the program. Schools could apply under either Level I or Level II funding requirements. Under Level I funding, schools are required to recycle at least white paper and one other material such as aluminum cans, and implement a minimum of three source reduction activities. Level I funding is based on student population.
Level II funding is based on project costs and must include composting/vermicomposting as an element of the overall zero waste plan, plus additional recycling and source reduction activities. All grant recipients determined goals and projects according to results of waste audits conducted by the students.
All grant applications were evaluated and scored with awards going to the highest scoring applicants.
Recipients of fiscal year 2009 Zero Waste School Grants:
North East Region
Oak Park District #97, Oak Park:
William Hatch Elementary School - $8,667
William Beye Elementary School - $9,962
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School - $9,997
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Elementary School- $9,985
Horace Mann Elementary School- $3,068
John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School - $2,910
St. Philip the Apostle - $ 2,206, Addison
Pilgrim Lutheran School - $1,274, Chicago
Woodstock Community Unit School District #200, Woodstock:
Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center - $2,625
Dean Street elementary School - $2,125
Greenwood Elementary School $ 2,447
Mary Endres Elementary School - $ 2,625
Olson Elementary School - $2,225
Prairiewood Elementary School - $2,125
Westwood Elementary School - $2625
Creekside Middle School - $3,950
Northwood Middle School - $4,015
Woodstock High School - $6,025
Woodstock North High School - $4,225
Freemont School District #79:
Freemont Elementary School - $ 4,330
Freemont Intermediate School - $4,330
Freemont Middle School - $3,810
St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic School - $1,882, Prospect Heights
Argo Community High School District #217 - $8,590
Uno Charter School Network
Officer J. Donald J. Marquez Charter School - $3,365
Chicago Public Schools
Jonathan Burr Elementary School - $10,000
Indian Prairie School District #204
Owen Elementary - $10,000
Community High School District #155
Prairie Ridge High School - $ 8,990
Crystal Lake South High School - $9,950
North Central Region
Tremont Community Unit School District # 702, Tremont
Tremont Jr./Sr. High School - $ 3,430
South East Region
Kell Consolidated School District #12
Kell Grade School - $833