INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC), in partnership with PepsiCo Recycling, is thrilled to announce ten Indiana high school students have been selected to provide a spark for recycling efforts in their schools and communities through the 2015-2016 Student Recycling Leadership Corps (SRLC) program. This year’s inaugural crop of SRLC students were selected through a competitive application process and are working through plans to lead significant recycling projects in their communities. The participants include:
- Claire Fuller, Western Boone Jr. Sr. High School
- Jaina Cox, Nexus Academy of Indianapolis
- Jarred Miller, Castle High School
- Jazz Briggs, Avon High School
- Jennifer Shultz, Lebanon High School
- Maddie Guillon, Delta High School
- Mayra Chanon, Washington High School
- Ruth Smith, Delta High School
- Satya Sanapati, Castle High School
- Sitha Vallabhaneni, Castle High School
The SRLC program aims to increase recycling rates and make recycling more commonplace by facilitating PepsiCo Recycling’s Recycle Rally program in schools and implementing public space recycling projects in communities across Indiana. Student Leaders who successfully complete the one-year program will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.
“The Indiana Recycling Coalition is thrilled to launch this program to develop recycling leaders in Indiana’s high schools in partnership with PepsiCo Recycling’s Recycle Rally program,” said Carey Hamilton, Executive Director, Indiana Recycling Coalition. “We look forward to helping develop the next generation of recycling leaders while immediately growing access to recycling in schools and communities across the state,” continued Hamilton. Through the program, the IRC will measure recyclable materials recovered from each student project, working towards PepsiCo’s goal of increasing the U.S. beverage container recycling rate and the IRC’s goals of increasing away-from-home recycling and helping Indiana achieve the newly legislated state-wide 50% recycling goal. Ultimately, involvement will foster the students’ ambitions of becoming the next generation of recycling champions. “We’re excited to partner with the Indiana Recycling Coalition to amplify the impact of Recycle Rally across Indiana and engage students to lead local recycling efforts,” said Tom Mooradian, Sustainability Manager, PepsiCo. “Recycle Rally enables students at schools of all sizes to build a sense of teamwork and recognition around recycling in their communities and we hope this innovative program will become a model to increase in-school recycling and create future recycling leaders across the country.”
PepsiCo Recycling’s Recycle Rally is a free nationwide school recycling program designed to provide rewards and resources to help K-12 students make recycling part of their lives. The Student Recycling Leadership Corps aims to take K-12 school recycling programs to the next level, expanding to more schools across Indiana and offering new opportunities for involvement. More information about Recycle Rally can be found at www.PepsiCoRecycling.com/Programs/RecycleRally
The IRC is now looking to identify the next round of participants. Applications for the 2016-2017 program will be accepted until May 15, 2016. More information can be found at www.indianarecycling.org/recycle/student-recycling-leadership-corps-program/
