Earth Force, Inc. and Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., announced a team of students from Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) as this year’s winner of the Staples Earth Force Award. The award, which is made possible through Earth Force’s partnership with SFFL, recognizes youth working to make a difference in their community by serving as active environmental citizens.
Student representatives from Wando, along with their teacher Michele Powell, were honored by Earth Force and SFFL for their commitment to helping the environment at an award presentation on Wednesday, January 28, at 4:30 p.m. at the Staples store in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The team also received a $500 donation of Staples eco-friendly products for their school.
Students in Michele Powell’s Environmental Science were chosen for this award for creating a project to help bring recycling to the Town Centre Mall, a local mall where many of the youth have part-time jobs. When these students requested recycling bins for use at their stores, they were informed that Charleston County does not pick up any business recycling and the mall’s management company was not willing to absorb the cost of hiring a private company for recycling pick-up.
As part of their efforts to demonstrate the importance and impact a recycling program could have, the students conducted a trash audit at Towne Centre to examine the amount of material that could be recycled, thereby reducing the amount of trash. They presented their findings to the Charleston County Council and Charleston County Waste and Recycling and after careful review of the research conducted, community leaders agreed to implement a small business recycling program in Charleston.
The partnership with SFFL enables Earth Force to provide educators and students with opportunities to learn about the environment and play an active role by engaging them in year-round projects that address environmental issues in their local communities. Through these projects, students develop the problem-solving skills necessary to effectively address environmental concerns within the community.
“We are excited to recognize another team of students with the Staples Earth Force Award for their dedication to improving the environment,” said Anna Richards, Executive Director, Lowcountry Earth Force, Inc. “These students serve as role models to their peers by showing how commitment to environmental citizenship can help make a difference.”
Over the past six years, SFFL has supported the expansion of Earth Force’s environmental programs in Charleston, SC; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; Arlington, FL; Tinley Park, IL; Miami, FL; and Denver, CO. To date, SFFL has given a total of $725,000 to Earth Force to reach students and teachers, increasing their awareness of environmental issues, developing their critical thinking skills and encouraging their community involvement.
“The Staples Earth Force Award recognizes those students who take action to make a positive impact on the environment,” said Joy Errico, director of Community Relations for Staples. “By acknowledging these influential youth, we hope to inspire them and their peers to continue their efforts as active environmental citizens.”
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About the Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL) The mission of Staples Foundation for Learning, Inc. is to teach, train and inspire. Founded in 2002, the foundation has contributed more than $14 million to national and local charities that provide educational opportunities and job skills for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. Staples Foundation for Learning has also developed lasting relationships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Earth Force, Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. In addition, Staples Foundation for Learning supports Ashoka, an organization that develops and supports social entrepreneurs in eight countries throughout the world. For more information about the foundation or how to apply for a grant, please visit www.staplesfoundation.org.