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Suncoast Pasco News
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Hitting For The (Re)Cycle
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Published: August 13, 2008
LAND O' LAKES - It takes one to know one, and - at least this season - the Tampa Bay Rays know a winner when they see one.
"As part of the Tampa Bay Rays' environmental commitment, we are honoring Pasco County School's recycling program for their outstanding contributions to recycling," Brian Auld, the American League club's senior vice president of business operations, said in a prepared statement in advance of an awards presentation at the start of Tuesday's school board meeting for the schools that were the program's 2007-08 all-stars.
Besides trying to win their first-ever American League East title, the Rays' to-do list for 2008 has included the launching of its "Teaming Up for the Environment" initiative to promote environmental sustainability. The initiative includes several ongoing programs at Tropicana Field that encourage carpooling and recycling and programs throughout the community with partner organizations. One of those organizations is the Pasco School District's Resource Recovery recycling program.
"We just formed this partnership," the school district's recycling coordinator, Karen Bryant, said. It was flattering that it was the Rays who sought the district out to tie their environmental agendas, she said.
"It's nice to be recognized," she said.
The Rays are just the latest to acknowledge the district's Resource Recovery Program, which has earned recognition from the educational and environmental communities on the national level. These include the 2008 American Forest and Paper Association school-wide recycling award and the 2008 American School Board Journal Magna Award for overall recycling.
The district recycles about half of the solid waste it generates, including batteries, cardboard, cellular phones, electronics, polystyrene trays (foam), light bulbs, metal cans, scrap metal, newspapers, oil, tires, mixed paper, toner cartridges and wood pallets. Many schools accept newspapers and cellular phones from the public, as well.
Teaming up with the Rays helps the district and the ball club achieve their mutual goal of raising environmental awareness and related resources like the district's recycling program, Bryant said. Having the Rays as a partner also ups the excitement factor, she said.
Tampa Bay Rays Senior Coordinator of Development Robbie Artz was on hand at the meeting to hand out trophies to representatives from Hudson Middle School, Rodney B. Cox Elementary School, Charles S. Rushe Middle School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Moore Mickens Education Center, Wesley Chapel Elementary School and Wesley Chapel High School for having the best or most improved recycling programs in the district.
Along with the trophies, The Tampa Bay Rays have named Aug. 29 as "Pasco Schools Recycling Day." Each of the winning schools got a number of tickets for their respective principals to distribute to come watch the Rays play the Baltimore Orioles.
Klint Lowry can be reached at 727-815-1067 or klowry@suncoastnews.com.
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