A local elementary school in Courtenay has won $2,000 in a recycling contest. It was Return-It’s Story Contest, which is aimed at encouraging students across the province to share their recycling initiatives and stories.
Queneesh Elementary won second place in the elementary category, through their grade 5-7 class’s project called No Time to Waste.
Through a composting program, clothing exchange, collecting donated cans and bottles, and refurbishing their Eco Learning Center into a recycling depot, the class helped reduce the school’s waste by 80 percent.
School Principal Jason Cobey says the class made their presentation of the project to several groups, including the Mayor of Courtenay.
“Very proud of the work Division 23 put into this initiative, one of the hardest things in life is public speaking,” says Cobey. “Many compliments from those in attendance about how articulate and informative each student speaker was.”
During the project, the class helped other students with using the depot by making videos and materials, as a way to encourage recycling.