Every Day is Earth Day!

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22 but it is important that we take action every day to protect and sustain our environment. 

The following information will assist you in developing and encouraging recycling programs in your school and community.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
New York Recycles Green Schools Challenge
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/43349.html
The New York Recycles School Challenge is sponsored by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Department of Education to recognize those schools that are working towards responsible solid waste management by developing waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and/or buy-recycled-products-and-packaging programs.

Green Schools
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8803.html
This website will help you on your journey to become a Green School! The focus of this webpage is to help your school develop a comprehensive solid waste management program, a key step to becoming a Green School.

New York Recycles!
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8802.html
This website includes information on events that promote recycling and reusing, as well as a 17-page booklet with lessons and activities for students.

Recycling Grants for School
http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/4776.html
Funding is available to school districts under the Municipal Waste Reduction & Recycling (MWRR) State Assistance Program. Through the MWRR program, DEC Provides 50% matching grants paid on a reimbursement basis up to a maximum of $2 million, for projects that enhance school/municipal recycling or composting programs.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Energy Smart Students Program
http://www.nyserda.ny.gov
The Energy Smart Students Program provides teachers and students with opportunities to learn about energy and its impact on the environment and economy.

New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
School Grant Program
http://www.nysar3.com
The NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling established a grant program for schools in 2005 for the purpose of providing seed, or start-up money for recycling/waste reduction programs in public and private schools. Since that time 60 NYS schools and/or school districts have benefitted financially from the program, to say nothing of the environmental benefits achieved by instituting recycling waste reduction programs in schools.

United States Environmental Protection Agency
EPA for Students and Teachers
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/educational.htm
Educational programs and information for students and teachers.

Go Green Initiative
http://www.gogreeninitiative.org
The mission of the Go Green Initiative is to provide schools, homes, businesses, and organizations of all kinds with the tools and training they need to create a “culture of conservation” within their community. The goal is to conserve and protect natural resources for future generations, and to protect human health through environmental stewardship.