May 01, 2017
Egg Harbor Township, NJ - They’ve done it AGAIN! For the
third straight year, the Egg Harbor City Community School has taken a top spot
in the country’s largest recycling competition in the Keep America Beautiful
Recycle-Bowl. The school competed against 1,291 schools in 45 states and the
District of Columbia to win the title and earn the top spot in New Jersey.
Together, students and teachers recycled an impressive 43.5
pounds of materials per person during the contest. The school will be awarded a
$1,000 grant award by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) during a
ceremony at the school.
The 2016 contest represents the third time in the past three
years that Egg Harbor City Community School has won either the national or
state title. In 2014, the school was named the New Jersey state champion. In
2015, competing against almost 1,300 schools across the country, they earned
the number one spot in the United States and this year, they are once again
number one in New Jersey.
“We couldn’t be more
proud of the Egg Harbor City Community School,” said ACUA President Rick Dovey.
“The Community School is an example of what can be achieved when the
administration, staff, students and custodial staff all work together to make
recycling a success,” Dovey added.
The school began its comprehensive recycling program only a
few years ago after entering the Recycle-Bowl competition. It has since become
a national leader as a result of teamwork, dedication and cooperation among
students, teachers, administrators and custodial staff.
“The Recycle-Bowl competition definitely sparked excitement
and was just the motivation that we needed to take on this challenge to
increase the school’s recycling back in 2014,” noted Community School Principal
Jack Griffith. “For schools looking to implement a similar program, the key is
to create a manageable plan, devote resources and ensure everyone is on board,
which takes direction from leadership and continual follow-up,” Griffith said.
“Schools that excel at recycling will also realize a savings
that comes along with recycling,” Dovey added. “By recycling, schools can cut
back significantly on trash tipping fees. And for most Atlantic County schools,
ACUA can provide outdoor recycling receptacles and collection at no cost.”
Although it takes effort and cooperation, Egg Harbor City
Community School has proven that school recycling is not only doable, but can
also be a fun and educational way for students to have a positive impact on
their community.
If your school needs help getting its recycling program
going, please contact ACUA for additional information. Recycling is one of the
easiest things we can all do to conserve natural resources and energy, as well
as state law.
Congratulations to all of the Atlantic County schools who
competed in the 2016 Recycle-Bowl Competition. Of the 26 New Jersey schools
participating in the 2016 competition, 25 are located in Atlantic County:
Egg Harbor City Community School
Charles L. Spragg School
Egg Harbor Township High School
Oakcrest High School
YALE School – Northfield
Washington Avenue School
E. H. Slaybaugh School Complex
Cedar Creek High School
Atlantic County Special Services School
Eugene A Tighe School
William H Ross School
Absegami High School
Galloway Township Middle School
Fernwood Avenue Middle School
Alder Avenue Middle School
H. R. Swift Elementary School
Emma C. Attales School
Folsom Elementary School
Brigantine Public Schools
Atlantic City High School
Davenport Complex
Sovereign Avenue School
Buena Regional Middle School
Dr. Joyanne D. Miller Elementary School
Mullica Township School