Horace Mann Wins Plastic Bag Recycling Contest

Know a student or group of students who should be recognized? Scroll down for instructions on submitting a nomination.

Melrose Patch Whiz Kids of the Week

• All the students at !
• Accomplishment: Winning the city's elementary school plastic bag recycling contest.

The following was submitted by Mary Beth Calnan, Melrose recycling coordinator:

Horace Mann wins a bench! Trex, a company that recycles millions of plastic bags to make composite lumber products, awards nationally 15 park benches, each made from approximately 4,500 plastic grocery bags to the winners of their contest.

This contest was held in the elementary schools for a second time, with the Horace Mann winning the bench by collecting an eye-popping 72,000 bags. This school edged out Hoover with 66,000 and Roosevelt with 58,000. The students, staff and parents did an outstanding job in all the schools and deserve thanks. The bench now sits in the new community garden at Horace Mann (pictured).

Last year Roosevelt won a bench by collecting 28,800 bags. It is amazing how much more was collected this year. It will be interesting to see what the winning total will be in the next contest!

Remember; don’t place plastic bags or plastic film in your curbside bins, since they cause problems at the recycling sorting facilities. Recycle at the elementary schools (collection is done all year) or recycle at supermarkets.

We need nominations!

Each week, Melrose Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to danield@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's E-Mail
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's Age
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
• An explanation of the accomplishment (approximately 150-300 words).
• A photo, if available.