SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT: Bay Haven School of Basics Plus

When Bay Haven School of Basics Plus parents Brooke Cherry and Kerri Scolardi wanted to boost recycling at their children’s school, the two came up with a monstrous plan — to introduce to students two recycling bins dressed as monsters.

“We needed a fun way for the kids to be involved, so I figured making a bin a monster,” says Scolardi.

In January, with the support of the school’s Green Team, Cherry and Scolardi placed a trial bin in the school’s cafeteria. After 11 days, the demo bin saved about 650 pieces of trash from going into a landfill.

Since then, two new permanent recycling bins decorated as monsters have been installed. The two have collected more than 2,500 pieces of trash.

The bins, named Sir Snacks-A-Lot and Queen Gulps-A-Lot, collect specific items that counties do not normally recycle, such as salty snack bags, drink pouches and energy bar wrappers. Last month, the bins collected 15 pounds of potato chip bags.

TerraCycle, an upcycling and recycling company that collects and repurposes difficult-to-recycle items, picks up the school’s recycled items.

Cherry and Scolardi say they are happy to see students enjoy protecting the environment.

“It’s a win for the environment, the school and for the children learning about recycling,” said Cherry.

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]