Back to Article List
THE GREENBURGH NATURE CENTER AND THE EDGEMONT SCHOOL FOUNDATION TEAM UP WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS
Release Date: May 14, 2015
EDGEMONT SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE ORGANIC RECYCLING
TOWN TO OEPN UP COMPOSTING SITE FOR ORGANIC RECYCLING AT POOL THIS SUMMER
Hat's off to the Edgemont School Foundation and Greenburgh Nature Center for embarking on an exciting new initiative-promoting source separation and organic recycling. Organic recycling is starting to catch on and could eventually reduce our waste by 30% or more!
The Hastings on Hudson School district led the way in teaching students the importance of source separation last year (they were profiled on WCBS news 88 for their effective program). I am thrilled that Edgemont is following their lead. And hope every other school district in Greenburgh and Westchester teaches students the importance of source separation --food waste can be recycled. Why throw food waste in the garbage when it can be turned into compost? Changing habits can save taxpayer dollars significant dollars WITHOUT service cuts.
The town of Greenburgh will also be promoting source separation. We have contracted with the Greenburgh Nature Center to create a compost site at AF Veteran park and will initiate a pilot program this summer --encouraging pool patrons to source separate. We want adults as well as students to start changing habits. Currently, the food waste that will be separated in the schools for recycling is shipped to Connecticut, which isn't very efficient. When composting sites are established locally, organic recycling will be more efficient. I have also reached out to the Landmark @ Eastview and asked them to create an organic recycling composting site on their property when new development takes place.
PAUL FEINER
![Inline image 1](file:///C:\Users\jlucasey\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg)
THE GREENBURGH NATURE CENTER AND THE EDGEMONT SCHOOL FOUNDATION TEAM UP WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO “GO GREEN, EDGEMONT”
(Edgemont, New York (May 13, 2015) –
With training and oversight from the Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC), funding provided by a grant from Edgemont School Foundation (ESF), and support from The Moses Feldman Family Foundation, Edgemont schools have embarked upon a district-wide comprehensive waste reduction and recycling program.
Students, staff, and administrators at Greenville Elementary, Seely Elementary, and Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School will separate their compostables, recycling, and trash into new source separation stations in both the cafeteria and teacher lounge. Uniform trash and recycling bins with clear signage will be placed throughout the schools. The new waste reduction and recycling program will allow Edgemont students to translate their classroom learning on the environment into real-world action and will reduce the schools’ waste headed for the incinerator by up to 75%.
“One of our strategic goals as a school district is to create authentic opportunities to foster students’ understanding of their roles as local and global citizens. Currently there are New York State laws requiring all schools to recycle. Soon we will be required to sort our food waste, too. Edgemont is fortunate to have this opportunity for oversight, training, and funding. We will partner with our community resources to engage our students in an authentic expression of local and global citizenship to protect our environment and save tax dollars,” said Victoria Kniewel, Superintendent of the Edgemont School District.
Students in grades K-12, as well as faculty, administrators, janitorial staff, cafeteria personnel, food service staff, and aides will be trained by the GNC to participate in the new source separation program. Green Teams comprised of teachers, staff, and parents are being formed at each school and will include Edgemont students who have already taken the lead in promoting this program. The PTA and PTSA will have representatives on the Green Teams and will also be involved in reducing and/or improving packaging from outside vendors. The GNC will continue to be a resource for the Green Teams throughout the process.
ESF Co-Chair Ellen Litt says, "The Foundation is pleased to award a grant in support of the new district wide waste reduction and recycling program given that it greatly benefits both Edgemont’s schools and students as well as maintaining Edgemont’s tradition of excellence. Go Green, Edgemont!”
In addition to the source separation systems and bins, the ESF grant will cover three new bottle-filling stations at the Jr./Sr. High School, as requested by Edgemont’s student groups including the Environmental Club, FoodSync, and the Student Government. This will help to reduce the number of plastic bottles the students purchase and consume each day.
Edgemont student leaders Zach Falk, Rachel Blume, Allie Rutter, and David Scharf describe the program perfectly,“When students recognize how they can contribute to their surroundings, they will be able to make a difference for the environment. The global trend to be more environmentally conscious is something that Edgemont wants to continue in our community. This initiative will enable students to further embody the values of the school that help shape them to become active contributors to society throughout their lives.”
****************************************************
Visit our web site at www.greenburghny.com and view archived Supervisors Reports.
****************************************************
To unsubscribe to list send an e-mail to:
imailsrv@cit-e.net
Please put the following in the body of the e-mail:
Unsubscribe gblist
|