Apr 15 2008
Elmer's Glue Crew classrooms nationwide are celebrating Earth Day by recycling glue bottles and glue sticks. Elmer's(R) Products, Inc., an industry leader in adhesives, arts and crafts, office and educational products, is encouraging teachers enrolled in the Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling program to bring empty glue bottles and glue sticks to the nearest Wal-Mart(R) store, beginning Earth Day, April 22, 2008.
Throughout the school year, participating teachers and students, currently representing more than 23,000 classrooms in all 50 states, collect empty glue bottles and glue sticks to be recycled. Once the classroom recycling box is full, teachers simply seal the box, print the official Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program mailing label, available at http://www.elmersgluecrew.com , and affix it to the outside of the box. Teachers then drop off the box at their nearest Wal-Mart store. The collection period runs through the end of the school year.
After received, the empties will be recycled at specialty recycling locations throughout the United States. Teachers are encouraged to submit award entries detailing the most creative and innovative ways they integrated recycling into classroom lessons and activities for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize classroom wins trees planted in a national forest in their honor, a tree planting at their school and an Elmer's arts and crafts prize pack for each student in the class. Teachers also have an opportunity to win hundreds of other classroom prizes.
"By recycling Elmer's, the #1 brand of school glue, teachers and students can take pride in knowing they positively impact the environment for future generations to enjoy," said Bruce MacDougall, president and CEO of Elmer's. "This program builds on our commitment to further protect the environment and educate elementary school-aged children about sustainable practices, which make our communities a better place to live, learn and create," MacDougall continued.
The Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program combines Elmer's expertise in education and creativity with its commitment to sustainable practices.
"Prior to this program, there was no structure in place to recycle glue bottles and glue sticks," said Steve Grossman, president of The Grossman Group Inc., a nationally recognized leader in paper and plastic recycling. "Now, the recycled Elmer's glue bottles and sticks from this program are a valuable resource and can be made in to new items such as watering cans and picnic benches."
Teachers in the United States are eligible to join the program at no cost. Participating teachers can use http://www.elmersgluecrew.com to find resources and instructional materials to help implement the program and reinforce the importance of being environmentally conscious in their classrooms. Downloadable classroom projects promote education and creativity and support efforts that reduce, reuse and recycle.
The January 2008 launch of the classroom-based glue bottle and glue stick recycling program marked the first national recycling program of its kind.
To join the Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program or learn more about the program visit http://www.elmersgluecrew.com.