Recycling doesn't just cut down on greenhouse gases, it can also help fund a playground - at least that's what students at Carson City Montessori School recently learned.
The school's small size - there are only 95 students - didn't stop it from beating out some 50 other schools in Nevada to win more than $4,000 in a Wal-Mart sponsored recycling contest.
Students entered the contest in hopes of using the prize money to build a playground, according to school secretary and Parent-Teacher Organization President Christina Saenz.
The contest ran from September to March, and the children at Montessori School brought in 289, 60-gallon bags filled with shopping bags for the Wal-Mart Kids Recycling Challenge, says Saenz.
The second-place winner, a Reno school, had only 172 bags.
Three thousand dollars will be awarded for winning the contest, along with another $5 per 60-gallon bag turned in.
Some of the funds, which will be awarded to the school in a ceremony May 17, will go toward a playground planned for the new Mouton Street site; the remainder will go to much needed supplies and other projects at the school, Saenz said.
Although the children were driven by the goal of a playground, that wasn't their only reason for participating.
"I liked helping my community and the world," said 9-year-old Bridgette McKnight, "because you know, bags aren't biodegradable."
She added, "I think (winning) is a good thing because our school needs some repairs, and we need more stuff for the playground."
Students plan to participate in the same contest next year, according to Saenz.
For your information
• Carson City is one of three Nevada counties making significant progress toward reaching state recycling goals, according to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).
• The state hopes to recycle at least 25 percent of solid wastes and Carson City, Douglas and Washoe counties have made significant progress toward reaching that goal, according to NDEP.
• For a list of recycling locations in Carson City visit nevadarecycles.gov.