The Green Schools Program is associated with the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards Program - a partnership between the Streets Department and Recyclebank that allows residents with City-provided recycling collection to earn points for the amount they recycle and reduce trash. Promoting environmental education, innovation and creative solutions, this exciting program could earn schools up to $2,500.

15 Philadelphia schools recieved grand funding from the 2014-2015 Recyclebank Green Schools Program! This program helps educate our kids on their environmental impact and empowers them to take action.

Project Spotlight

C.W. Henry School

In addition to the funds donated by Domtar, the C.W. Henry School was awarded a year’s supply of EarthChoice® Office Paper to C.W. Henry School, this year’s winner for the Most Innovative Project. Building upon previous Green Schools Program success, C.W. Henry School will focus on improving the school’s garden that they started in 2011-12. They plan on building sturdy trellises for established blackberry bushes and moveable trellises for seasonal crops like tomatoes. These enhancements will increase the garden’s productivity and aid in the harvesting process when that time comes.

Bed after it was first planted in May.

Bed as it has grown since first planted

John Story Jenks Elementary School

A few of the recycling bins purchased

Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy

New compost bins purchased

Young Scholars Charter School

Student members of the Green Team making and planting Woolly Pocket Gardens

James Rhoads School

Before

After the garden was built

Previous Grant Recipients Green Plans:

• Belmont Charter ($1,378.05) will use their money to build learning gardens to teach students about the nutritional and environmental benefits of eating local, fresh and smart. Part of their budget also covers the cost of a rotating composter, as well as plans for an outdoor classroom.
• Central High School ($3,000.00) is looking to begin a multi-year project, beginning with hiring a composting service to get them started.  The Student Environmental Action Society will be responsible for initiating and managing the food waste collection process, and working with the hired service.  In later phases of the project, CHS hopes to create their own compost on schools grounds.  The product, whether from the school or service, will be used to repair and maintain school grounds and planter boxes.
• George McCall Elementary ($2,149.31) is launching their “Get Out and Garden” campaign with their new community efforts.  Last year, McCall received Recyclebank money to build planter boxes; this year they are looking to expand on that success, encourage more students to participate and truly develop outdoor learning spaces where they can manage, maintain, grow and steward.
• George W. Childs Elementary ($2,047.24) will be preserving an existing upcycled artwork garden, created by a former art teacher.  Grant monies will be used in the restoration process, as well as expansion of the area. They would like to create a vegetable garden and orchard, as well as start a Garden Club.  This would serve as place for students and community members to meet on formal and informal occasions.
• George W. Nebinger Elementary ($1,460) is planning to save water, build gardens, and teach students, families and community members alike the important of an urban food system.  They are even looking into solar sensors for their irrigation system!
• George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science ($3000) will use their money to install water bottle filling station, eliminating excess bottles and increasing recycling education.  The Carver HSES Green Team will also be using grant dollars to create quality educational materials to encourage students to use the stations and be better environmental stewards.
• Henry C. Lea Elementary ($3,000.00) will be transforming their urban heat island playground into a green urban oasis.  Complete with rain gardens, increased tree canopy and more green plants than ever, Lea Elementary wants to be the greenest school in the City.
• John B. Kelly Elementary ($2,912.00) will be using Recyclebank grant money for organic gardening; they want to engage students from seed to harvest, and everything in between.  Placing an emphasis back on the soil, they refuse to let commonplace litter and apathy stop them. Working with the Philadelphia School District, they will incorporate fresh vegetables and herbs into their school lunch time.
• John Story Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences ($2,749.53) A repeat Recyclebank Green School, JS Jenks wants to expand the eco-curriculum from greenhouse to aquaponics, vermicultures, and more. *A top prize winner in the garden and water category, JS Jenks received 3 months’ worth of sustainable paper from Recyclebank partner, Domtar Earth Choice.
• Joseph Greenberg Elementary ($3,000.00) First time applicant, Greenberg Elementary will turn an unsightly area of their school grounds into a beautiful and educational butterfly garden, complete with community involvement and engagement opportunities.
• Richard Allen Prep Charter ($702.51) is launching the “Whittle the Waste” campaign by expanding their school’s recycling program. Through creative and engaging tactics, the RAPCS Green Team will work to encourage fellow students to generate less and recycle more.
• Southwest Leadership Academy ($462.33) They will use their funding to purchase containers for the development and implementation of a school wide recycling program.
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy ($1,927.75) will use funding to work towards a zero waste cafeteria.  Already on board with recycling and composting, SCHA now wants to install a refillable water station to ban all plastics from lunch time.
• The Waldorf School of Philadelphia ($2,450.77) will use Recyclebank funds to build or obtain recycling and composting containers, as well as build a corral for outdoor storage. In order to maintain their new school location to the best of their ability they understand the importance of whole process, not just separating the materials in the classroom.
• Penn Charter ($1,805.66) is seeking to ‘ban the bottle’.  Using grant money, a reusable bottle will be purchased for every student and community member, in hopes to change the behaviors and attitudes surrounding single use plastics, petroleum based products and the Philadelphia municipal water service.