Worcester Student Gets ‘Green Team’ Recognition From the Commonwealth

WORCESTER, MA— Students from 66 schools in Massachusetts have received special recognition for outstanding environmental actions as members of the “Green Team,” a statewide environmental education program promoted by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), announced the MassDEP.

Quinsigamond Elementary School in Worcester switched to plastic milk bottles in their cafeteria. Students empty the extra liquid from these bottles and recycle them. The school also held its third annual Recycled Art Contest, as well as its third annual electronics and metal recycling drive.
Stephanie Syre-Hager from Worcester won a "Garden Supplies" Green Team award.

“I want to congratulate all the Green Team students, and thank the teachers for helping to generate that spark of interest and responsibility in protecting our natural resources,” said Governor Charles D. Baker in a statement. “Learning about environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices contributes to the greater good of everyone in the Commonwealth.”

Students of any age can participate in the Green Team program, an initiative comprised of students who share the goals of reducing pollution and protecting the environment. Nearly 65,000 students in more than 346 classes at 314 schools joined the Green Team this past school year.

“Students who took the initiative to participate and volunteered to raise environmental awareness through Green Team activities deserve our thanks and congratulations,” said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Through the Green Team Program, we hope to instill in students knowledge of environmental issues and a desire to protect our natural world.”

Students took part in a range of activities, including:

· Expanding school recycling programs;

· Starting a compost pile using organic waste from the school cafeteria, and using the compost it generates to nourish a garden to grow vegetables;

· Making their school driveways “Idle-Free Zones;”

· Increasing energy efficiency in their schools and communities; and

· Reducing their carbon footprint at school and at home.

These activities incorporated class-room disciplines from the fields of science, engineering and mathematics to reading, writing and art, as well as other non-classroom, inter-related projects.