COLUMBIA – A project to reduce lunchroom waste has earned Charles Pinckney Elementary School recognition from Champions of the Environment, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“The school’s Ecology Club has spearheaded this effort,” said Lynne LaSalle, coordinator for Champions of the Environment. “The clubs has led the student body in activities such as a ‘No Waste Lunch Day,’ suggesting ways to reduce lunch room waste, and saving and displaying a week’s worth of single-use polystyrene lunch trays.”
LaSalle said the Ecology Club has asked the Charleston County School Board to discontinue the use of single-use lunch trays in district schools, and to commit to being greener through an increase in conservation practices in the district.
In addition to the $500 grant, these Champions of the Environment will receive Champions giveaway items and a commercial will be made about the project to air on WIS-TV in Columbia and WCSC-TV in Charleston.
Champions of the Environment is celebrating its 15th year of rewarding environmental action and awareness in South Carolina’s kindergarten through 12th grade students. Champions is sponsored by DHEC, International Paper, Eastman Chemical Company, WCSC-TV and WIS-TV. Ten grants are awarded during the school year over two grant cycles. Applications for Champions’ next round of grants are due September 15.
For more information, visit the Champions Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/champions, or call LaSalle at (803) 898-4394.