2012 “Recycler of the Year” for Educational Institutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2013

The Mississippi Recycling Coalition (MRC) is pleased to announce that Watkins Elementary School in the Jackson Public School District is the winner of the “Educational Institution Recycler of the Year” Environmental Hero Award for the state. Watkins Elementary has had a strong recycling program for the past several years. Partnering with a local recycling business, Allen Recycling of Canton, MS, the school works to promote and encourage recycling in the classroom, school grounds and through various school functions. The program includes active education efforts with students, a comprehensive collection system in the school, student incentives, and ongoing recycling and environmental awareness activities. The program also emphasizes student leadership and participation in the school's recycling efforts. The school is a two-time winner of an MRC School Recycling Grant and in 2012 was the Mississippi Champion in the Recycle Bowl sponsored by the Keep America Beautiful organization. The school recycling program was also recognized in 2011 with a First Place award in the School Category by the Keep Mississippi Beautiful organization. In addition, two of Watkins faculty members, Mr. David Schommer (Librarian) and Ms. Marilyn Minter (1st Grade), serve on the JPS District wide Recycling Committee. For its school-wide recycling efforts that teach children at a young age to reduce, reuse, and recycle, Watkins Elementary is awarded the 2012 Educational Institution Recycler of the Year Award for the state of Mississippi.

On hand for the presentation of the award to Watkins Elementary School were (from left) Clarence Allen, Allen Recycling; Watkins student Christopher McDonald and his mother Nora McDonald; Paige Holiman, Mississippi Recycling Coalition and Keep Mississippi Beautiful; Dr. Lisa Andrus-Johnson, Watkins Principal; Marilyn Minter, Watkins teacher; Pamela Young, JPS Environmental Services; and David Schommer, Watkins librarian.

Other winners of the 2012 Recycler of the Year Awards included: City of Brookhaven and City of Crystal Springs – Co-winners of the Local Government category; Nucor Steel – Jackson Inc – winner of the Corporate category; Keesler Air Force Base – winner of the State and Federal government category and Lamar County – winner of the New Program of the Year award. For more information on these awards visit our website at www.msrecycles.org.

Contact: Mark Williams (601-961-5304) or Sarah Kountouris (601-853-4210)