Jan. 1, 2014

Plymouth Elementary School Teacher Wins 2010 Teacher Recycler of the Year Award

The School Recycling CLUB, Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA) and New Hampshire the Beautiful (NHtB) are pleased to announce Ellen Hand as Teacher Recycler of the Year. Award presented by Larry Melanson, Coca-Cola/NHtB.

Hand is woman who not only models “green” living, but works relentlessly to educate and challenge students and staff at Plymouth Elementary School to think before they act. She facilitates a “Go Green” committee comprised of students, community members and teachers. This group has been responsible for a major school-wide effort for not only awareness and transforming daily habits.

In addition, she has initiated the Earth Friendly Student of the Month, organized the positing of student-created earth friendly posters, as well as participated in the school wide recycling program. Principal Julie Flynn says she is one of those quiet wonders who not only turns off the lights in empty rooms, but who also coordinates school wide efforts like our Earth Day Celebration.

“Teachers are a critical component to any sustainable school recycling program,” said Mike Durfor, Executive Director of NRRA. “Without the dedication of teachers like Ellen, school recycling would not happen. Thank you Ellen for all your efforts to educate life long recyclers!”

This award is given annually to a teacher in the Northeast who works hard to start or expand his or her school recycling program. This is one of ten awards developed to recognize and promote excellence in school recycling.