Today, ecomaine announced its 2018 round of , which are designed to raise recycling awareness in schools and communities, and to help schools implement more efficient recycling programs or add composting to their waste collection. As Maine鈥檚 pioneer of single-sort recycling and provider of waste-to-energy solutions, ecomaine is pleased to announce that public or private schools in any of its 73 member communities can apply for School Recycling Grants through October 19, 2018.
鈥淭he School Recycling Grants program allows us to increase students鈥� exposure to proper ways of recycling,鈥� said Kevin Roche, CEO of ecomaine. 鈥淚n addition to our tours programs, and our other public awareness tools, these grants instill a great sense of ownership in the schools in our communities, and help to teach the next generation of recyclers the importance of asking 鈥榳hich bin should I put this in?鈥欌��
Past grant proposals have ranged from purchasing in-school recycling bins or education materials to offsetting compost hauling fees, or assisting schools to participate in tours of ecomaine. If selected, school recipients can receive up to $5,000 of $25,000 in available grant funds for the 2018-19 school year. Recipients are chosen based on the following criteria:
(1) Project outline and school commitment
(2) Ease of project replication
(3) Likelihood of success and program sustainability
(4) How compelling and worthy the funding is
In fiscal year 2018, ecomaine reached more than 25,000 school children and members of the public through grants, tours, presentations and events.听 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to teach our kids about recycling right and promoting safe, sustainable ways to deal with their waste.听 The impact, when they share what they learn with their friends and families, is enormous,鈥� said Katrina Venhuizen, ecomaine鈥檚 Senior Environmental Educator.
In addition to the School Recycling Grants, other programs that ecomaine offers throughout the year to further its education and outreach mission are:
- Recycling is a Work of Art contest (6 winners selected in Spring to paint murals on the 鈥渟ilver bullet鈥� recycling containers in towns)
- Eco-Excellence Awards (annual March awards, nominations accepted throughout the year)
- Annual Recycling Open House (this year鈥檚 is September 29, 2018!)
- On-site tours and community outreach (ongoing)
Following the October 19 deadline, proposals will be reviewed by ecomaine鈥檚 Outreach & Recycling Committee, and winners will be notified by mid-November.
For more information, visit .听