| Published: January 8, 2010 |  |
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Mars catches recycling fever
Middle school wants trash, old shoes, sweaters
ADAMS TWP — Mars Middle School families can clean out their closets and donate to a good cause at the same time.
The school’s environmental committee is collecting various common household items for a variety of recycling or reusing programs.
Old athletic shoes are being collected through Jan. 16 for donation to Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program.
The shoes are recycled into track and playground surfaces, gymnasium floors, basketball and tennis courts, and wood courts.
Science teacher Mary Jo Phillips, who has been overseeing the environmental committee for six years, said she ran across the unique Nike program online.
She said given the generosity of Mars parents in past collections, she has no doubt her room will be filled with castoff sneakers in no time.
“The people in this area are great,” Phillips said.
The committee also is collecting old telephone books, aluminum soda cans and tabs, used ink and toner cartridges, and newspapers and office paper as part of the annual recycling campaign.
The cans benefit Habitat for Humanity, the tabs Mars History and Landmarks Society, and phone books will be donated to Consolidated Communications for the manufacturing of ceiling tiles.
“I just hate making trash,” Phillips said.
Newspaper, junk mail, catalogs and other office paper will be recycled, and the school will be paid per ton.
Phillips said the money will go into an environmental fund, and she and other faculty will decide on an environmentally friendly item to purchase later in the school year.
The committee also is collecting new or gently used sweaters and coats until Jan. 29.
The apparel will be donated to the food bank at Lighthouse Foundation in Middlesex Township.
Jaime Carter, director of public relations at the Lighthouse, said the coats are displayed on a table during the weekly food distribution. Clients can choose one coat per family member when they come in to get their food.
“There are so many people who can’t buy coats because it’s an expense, especially for kids, who grow out of them so quickly,” Carter said.
She said receiving the coats from adolescents is particularly gratifying.
“It’s really encouraging to see kids that age donate, because it shows they are aware of the need around them.”
She said the school district has always been very supportive of various Lighthouse programs.
Phillips said residents can take items to the school during school hours. More information is available by calling the school at 724-625-3145.
More information on the Nike shoe recycling program is available at www.nikereuseashoe.com.
