Elmer's Products Inc., a company specializing in adhesives, arts and crafts, office and educational products, encouraged teachers enrolled in the Elmer's Glue Crew recycling program to bring empty glue bottles and glue sticks to the nearest Wal-Mart store, beginning Earth Day, April 22, 2008. Throughout the school year, teachers and students, representing more than 23,000 classrooms in all 50 states, collected empty glue bottles and glue sticks to be recycled in exchange for the chance to win a series of prizes. After receipt, the empties were recycled at specialty locations throughout the United States. And now for the winner...throughout the school year, Mary Grace Clark's kindergarten class recycled empty Elmer's glue bottles and glue sticks used in their classroom. Clark and student teacher Shannon Gibson incorporated the program into their daily lesson plan by integrating activities and projects that required the use of glue sticks and glue bottles. The class also created projects out of recycled materials and championed their school to participate in the program. As part of the grand prize, trees will be planted in a national forest in honor of the classroom. Elmer's will also host a ceremonial tree planting at Champion Central Elementary School, and each student from the winning classroom will be recognized for participating in the program. Bruce MacDougall, president and CEO of Elmer's, says "This program builds on our commitment to further protect the environment and educate elementary school-aged children about sustainable practices, which make our communities a better place to live, learn and create."
