One of the most enjoyable projects that we do each spring is the plastic water bottle recycling contest in the schools. This will be our third year participating in the Keep America Beautiful, Aquafina and Sam's Club-sponsored contest.
Recycling is something all of us should be doing. It is an easy way to impact our environment. But the enthusiasm our students bring to this recycling effort is overwhelming. I wish we could all bring that level of excitement to making a difference in our world.
This year the contest is returning to its original name and outcome: Return the Warmth. In the first year, we had two schools place in the top ten schools in the nation; Midway Middle and Liberty Elementary. Because of their efforts, our county received 2,000 attractive fleece jackets made from recycled plastic bottles. The jackets were shared with youngsters around the community to "Return the Warmth."
It is amazing what products can now be used for clothing and cloth items. A big trend now is using sustainable bamboo to make clothing, bags, rugs, you name it!
The seven schools participating this year need your help. Thanks to Midway Middle, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County High, Lewis Frasier, First Presbyterian Christian Academy, and First United Methodist Pre-K and Kindergarten for participating. And good luck.
The contest has gotten very competitive, so please support your schools by helping them collect as many bottles as possible. You can bring your bottles to a specific school that you want to help or deposit them in the plastics bin at any of the county's 12 recycling centers.
Business e-cycling
This week we will be picking up and collecting old electronics for recycling from area businesses in a partnership with Atlanta Recycling Solutions. If the storage space at your business is full of old computers, printers and other electronics, call us at 368-4888. We can make appointments for pick up March 19-21. Whether it is a few items or a large number, this is a good time to free up storage that you can use for other needs.
Electronics should never be tossed in the trash. They have toxins that can harm groundwater.
Win-dex Business Awards
Don't miss your chance to nominate attractive businesses in our community for the first Win-dex Awards! Why are they called the Win-dex Awards? Because we want to recognize winning businesses that look so good, they have a "streak-free shine!" We will accept nominations through March 31 for this joint program with the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and the local master gardeners. For information or for a nomination form, call Keep Liberty County Beautiful at 368-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.com. Forms are also available at the chamber office, 368-4445.
St. Catherines beach cleanup
Our spring beach cleanup at St. Catherines Island will be on Saturday, March 29. We have space for 35 volunteers so call 368-4888 soon if you are interested. This is always great fun. We ride over by boat (thanks to the generosity of seven volunteers who donate their time, boats and fuel) to the island, we clean up, then have a picnic and enjoy the beach before we head home. Last year we collected a ton of litter and debris from just a few miles on the beach.
Here are other events for the Great American Cleanup:
March-May: The Clean Community Challenge. Challenge others to join you and your group in making our community as clean as possible. The Litter Wars need you. Call or email me for information.
April 5: Riceboro Cleanup.
April 14-15: Earth Day Water Awareness Programs in schools
April 22: Earth Day Go Green! Exhibits and second annual Earth Day sidewalk chalk art contest 3:306 p.m. at Bradwell Park
April 26: Litter Throwdown Hwy 84 and More! Cleanup challenge 8:30-noon Challenging groups and businesses to help clean up major corridors in our community. Contact KLCB or any Kiwanis Club member for information.
Recycling is something all of us should be doing. It is an easy way to impact our environment. But the enthusiasm our students bring to this recycling effort is overwhelming. I wish we could all bring that level of excitement to making a difference in our world.
This year the contest is returning to its original name and outcome: Return the Warmth. In the first year, we had two schools place in the top ten schools in the nation; Midway Middle and Liberty Elementary. Because of their efforts, our county received 2,000 attractive fleece jackets made from recycled plastic bottles. The jackets were shared with youngsters around the community to "Return the Warmth."
It is amazing what products can now be used for clothing and cloth items. A big trend now is using sustainable bamboo to make clothing, bags, rugs, you name it!
The seven schools participating this year need your help. Thanks to Midway Middle, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County High, Lewis Frasier, First Presbyterian Christian Academy, and First United Methodist Pre-K and Kindergarten for participating. And good luck.
The contest has gotten very competitive, so please support your schools by helping them collect as many bottles as possible. You can bring your bottles to a specific school that you want to help or deposit them in the plastics bin at any of the county's 12 recycling centers.
Business e-cycling
This week we will be picking up and collecting old electronics for recycling from area businesses in a partnership with Atlanta Recycling Solutions. If the storage space at your business is full of old computers, printers and other electronics, call us at 368-4888. We can make appointments for pick up March 19-21. Whether it is a few items or a large number, this is a good time to free up storage that you can use for other needs.
Electronics should never be tossed in the trash. They have toxins that can harm groundwater.
Win-dex Business Awards
Don't miss your chance to nominate attractive businesses in our community for the first Win-dex Awards! Why are they called the Win-dex Awards? Because we want to recognize winning businesses that look so good, they have a "streak-free shine!" We will accept nominations through March 31 for this joint program with the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce and the local master gardeners. For information or for a nomination form, call Keep Liberty County Beautiful at 368-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.com. Forms are also available at the chamber office, 368-4445.
St. Catherines beach cleanup
Our spring beach cleanup at St. Catherines Island will be on Saturday, March 29. We have space for 35 volunteers so call 368-4888 soon if you are interested. This is always great fun. We ride over by boat (thanks to the generosity of seven volunteers who donate their time, boats and fuel) to the island, we clean up, then have a picnic and enjoy the beach before we head home. Last year we collected a ton of litter and debris from just a few miles on the beach.
Here are other events for the Great American Cleanup:
March-May: The Clean Community Challenge. Challenge others to join you and your group in making our community as clean as possible. The Litter Wars need you. Call or email me for information.
April 5: Riceboro Cleanup.
April 14-15: Earth Day Water Awareness Programs in schools
April 22: Earth Day Go Green! Exhibits and second annual Earth Day sidewalk chalk art contest 3:306 p.m. at Bradwell Park
April 26: Litter Throwdown Hwy 84 and More! Cleanup challenge 8:30-noon Challenging groups and businesses to help clean up major corridors in our community. Contact KLCB or any Kiwanis Club member for information.