Six Charleston County School District schools were recently awarded Compost and Recycling Education grants by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). “They consistently submit outstanding project ideas over the years to grow their sustainability efforts as well as start new sustainability efforts,” Stefanie Vandiver, the DHEC environmental manager, said in a statement. “CCSD schools’ hard work is not only inspiring to other schools throughout the state but also boosts our recycling rates in South Carolina.”
The grant program is accessible to all schools. The aim is to promote the awareness of “solid waste issues, including the need to reduce the solid waste we generate, and to recycle whenever we can,” according to DHEC. Grant funds can be used on supplies or for field trips to promote recycling within schools.
The 2021-2022 grants were awarded to:
- Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies received $1500 for recycling containers to be placed in common
- James Island Charter High School received $1500 to purchase wall shelving, containers, and tables to recycle
- Lucy Garrett Beckham High School received $1500 for supplies to create a larger school garden.
- Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori School received $1496 to purchase supplies for the school garden and composting.
- Military Magnet Academy received $1500 to purchase supplies for the school’s “food forest.”
- Wando High School received $914 for TerraCycle Zero Waste boxes and a field trip to the Bees Ferry recycling facility.