FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Reo Menning, Public Affairs Director
Phone: 323-6519; Mobile: 494-5734
Small but Mighty School Wins Build with Bags Challenge
Metro Schools Learned Today that Effort Paid Off
Nov. 14 – Metro Waste Authority and Iowa Grocery Industry Association attended an
assembly at Prairie City Elementary today to make a surprise announcement to the
winners of the Build with Bags Challenge: first place, Prairie City Elementary (PCM);
second place, Shuler Elementary (Waukee); and third place, Oviatt Elementary
(Norwalk). Each winning school will receive a piece of outdoor furniture made from
recycled plastic bags.
Prairie City Elementary is among the smaller schools to participate in the challenge, but
the hard work led by the school’s fourth graders made the difference. “The kids worked
really hard to find different ways to educate and encourage their parents, neighbors and
other students to participate – some kids even walked door-to-door collecting bags,”
explained Shaun Hudnut, teacher at Prairie City Elementary. “The Build with Bags
program provides a fun, practical forum for the students to apply their knowledge about
recycling and preserving the ecosystem.”
The program challenged students and their families to recycle plastic bags and, even
better – to use reusable bags, while kids learned the importance of reducing, reusing
and recycling. The fun competition tracked the pounds of bags recycled and the quantity
of reusable bags used per school capita.
Thirty-two schools competed from Oct. 1 to Nov. 2, and the winners were recognized
today, on America Recycles Day, to further emphasize the true meaning of the
competition. Throughout the competition, 8,400 lbs. of plastic bags were recycled – over
four tons.
For more information, visit us at www.WhereItShouldGo.com or call 244.0021.
-30About Metro Waste Authority
Metro Waste Authority provides answers for safe and smart waste disposal and recycling. Whether it is garbage,
recyclables, yard waste, hazardous waste or special waste, we know where it should go and have the resources to
help. Serving Central Iowa, Metro Waste Authority manages Metro Park East Landfill, Metro Park West Landfill,
Metro Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Metro Compost Center, and Metro Transfer Station. We also provide recycling
programs such as Curb It! and Compost It! for our member communities. A government agency, Metro Waste
Authority is self-funded through fees charged to those who use the landfill and its other services; we do not receive
tax dollars.
www.WhereItShouldGo.com