Iowa Grocery Industry Association and Metro Waste Authority have teamed up again for the 2010 Build with Bags School Challenge, a partnership to help teach kids about our environment and the importance of recycling.
The program encourages elementary school students in the Des Moines metro area to recycle plastic shopping bags and challenges the schools to get residents to use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic.
For each school that collects at least 100 pounds of recycled plastic shopping bags (approximately 60 bags weighs one pound) and receives credit for 100 reusable shopping bags, Iowa Grocery Industry Association and Metro Waste Authority will award a $100 gift card to that school.
Added Bonus: For every 10 reusable bag points designated, that school receives credit for one pound of recycled plastic shopping bags.
The top school in each size bracket will receive a piece of outdoor furniture, such as a park bench, made from recycled plastic.
Sign Up for the 2010 Build with Bags School Challenge
Sign up begins Wednesday, September 8 and ends Friday, September 17. Schools must be registered by 4:00 p.m. on September 17.
Packet Pick Up: The recycling coordinator (or a representative) from each school must pick up their School Recycling Challenge kit at a mandatory brief informational session to be held at Metro Waste Authority. Metro Waste Authority is located at 300 E. Locust St, Ste. 100, between Grand and Locust on East 2nd in downtown Des Moines. In an effort to make it convenient for busy people, eight sessions are being offered. The dates and times are:
- Saturday, September 25 at 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (starting every half hour)
- Monday, September 27 at 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (one session)
Each Kit Will Include:
- Teacher Instructions for the program
- A list of participating grocery stores
- Flyers for students to take home explaining the program
- 20 large 60-gallon bags to use for lining the collection bin
- Key tags to be used with reusable bags at the check out
The contest begins on Monday, October 4 and continues through Friday, November 5. Each week the current bag collection numbers and points from each school will be posted on this page. The winners will be announced on Monday, November 15, the day after America Recycles Day.
If you have any questions, please email Mary at mgi@mwatoday.com or call 515-323-6505.
Build with Bags School Challenge Overview
