Somerset, KY — Youngsters are getting into the recycling habit early thanks to the folks at Judy’s Child Care Center and the Pulaski County Recycling Center. Starting March 1 and ending April 28 the students at Judys’ Child Care Center held a contest to see which classroom could collect the most recycling. The Center collected a total of 10,667 lbs. of recycling earning them PRIDE’s Project of the Month Award.

“I’ve been wanting to do a recycling project at the center for a long time,” said director Judy Rice. “The children become extremely involved in these types of projects and by getting the children on board it helps encourage the parents to recycle too.”

Four classrooms competed in the challenge to see who could collect the most recycling. The winner was Ms. Trina and Ms. Morgan’s room with 5,165 lbs. of recycling. They will receive $100 from the Pulaski County Recycling Center. The runner up was Ms. Glenda and Ms. Tracie’s room with 2,205 lbs. and they will receive $75. Third place was Ms. Brandy and Ms. Tina’s room with 2,189 lbs. and they will receive $50. Finally, Ms. Stacey & Morgan’s class collected 1,108 lbs. and received $25. All the children who participated will also receive PRIDE reusable water bottles.

“It has been one of my goals as Recycling Manager and Solid Waste Coordinator to get more involved with our youth and encourage them to think more about recycling,” said Danny Masten Pulaski County Recycling Manager. “When we teach kids to recycle they teach their parents and it becomes second nature for the next generation.”

“PRIDE is celebrating our 20^th Anniversary this year and it is projects like this one that have created ‘A Generation of Change’ across the region,” said PRIDE’s Tammie Wilson. “When youth become environmental stewards they teach it to their parents and will then pass it down to their children. It is very rewarding to see little ones get so excited about recycling.”

About PRIDE

PRIDE, which stands for “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment,” was founded in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5) and the late James Bickford, who was the Kentucky Secretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The PRIDE mission is to contribute to the economic and cultural growth of southern and eastern Kentucky by improving water quality, cleaning up solid waste problems and advancing environmental education, in order to improve living conditions for its residents while enhancing the potential for tourism industry growth in the region.

###

Filed under: Education Project of the Month, Headlines, News