For the 22nd year, the Good Sports Always Recycle (GSAR) program is once again offering Tennessee K-12 schools the opportunity to compete in the statewide school environmental program challenge for a chance to win money for their school. Ten schools will be awarded $1,000 each, and one “Sustainability Steward” will win $1,500.
Schools that are actively reducing waste in their school and community and/or are reducing their overall waste footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling programs and the use of green space, should visit www.Eastman.com/GSAR by Oct.
2, to enter for a chance to win.
“In order to have a lasting impact on our environment, we must not only educate our children on the importance of sustainability, but we should be actively showing them what it means to reduce, reuse and recycle. Encouraging them to come up with innovative solutions empowers them to be personally invested,” said Hanneke Counts, director of Environmental Affairs at Eastman. “This school challenge provides a little friendly competition between elementary, middle and high schools across Tennessee, and we hope it will generate excitement surrounding recycling and environmental stewardship.”
Along with the financial award, the 11 winning schools will be recognized at the University of Tennessee versus South Carolina football game on Nov. 7. The winners will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Vol Network studios, participate in a tailgate celebration and receive a plaque during an on-field presentation during the game.
In addition to the school challenge, the GSAR program has expanded its efforts at the University of Tennessee from a recycling program for only the stadium to a campus-wide athletic facility initiative.
“Good Sports Always Recycle is a well-known program to UT fans, and we hope that bringing students to the game allows them to see the tremendous impact an environmental program can have on a large scale,” said John Jones, Food City executive vice president and director of Store Operations.
During the 2014 football season, GSAR recycled, reused or composted nearly 284 tons of waste. This year, UT has set a goal to get to “zero waste” at games by the end of the 2015-2016 football season.
“The goal is to divert 90 percent or more of waste from the landfill through donating, reusing, recycling, and composting,” said Greg Hee, divisional vice president for Waste Connections. “Last year, we were close to recycling 50 percent of materials at each game, which is amazing for such large crowds.”
Additionally, the GSAR program provides teachers with educational resources to teach students the importance of recycling. The Good Sports Always Recycle educational packet includes grade specific lesson plans, statistics, ideas and recycling resources and is available for download at www.eastman.com/GSAR.
“The educational packet is a great opportunity for teachers to integrate sustainability lessons into the classroom curriculum,” said Director Counts.
The Good Sports Always Recycle program is sponsored by Eastman, Food City and Waste Connections, in conjunction with the University of Tennessee.
For more information about the Good Sports Always Recycle program, visit www.Eastman.com/GSAR or contact Jennifer Wiggins at jwiggins@akinsps.com.
The nomination deadline for the Good Sports Always Recycle school challenge is Oct. 2. In an effort to lessen the environmental impact of the challenge, all nominations must be submitted online or via email to Ms. Wiggins.