Kids’ recycling project leads to three new benches at local parks

The residents of St. Joseph will have three new benches to sit on.

The village has bought three benches for no more than $1,000 from Prince of Peace Community Early Learning Center and the center has already donated two benches to the village which are at Kolb Park.

The three new benches will be at the Sports Complex.

The Prince of Peace students have been collecting bottle cap and lids which are then turned into benches.

Diane Williams, the Director of Prince of Peace Community Early Learning Center, said students learn collecting, sorting, math and facts about recycling by collecting the lids.

“Any age can partake in it,” Williams said.

The kids are participating in the ABC Program which is a program by Green Tree Plastics for school children to learn about caring for the earth and green living. The children are the primary workers on the project and do the majority of the collecting, sorting and tallying of the weight collected.

When the kids have collected enough caps and lids a bench can be ordered.
Caps that can be collected include medicine bottle lids, milk jug ids, detergent caps, hair spray caps, caps from toothpaste, deodorant, applesauce pouches, drink bottles, ketchup, mustard, spray paint, baby food and shampoo and conditioner.

They can also accept lids from cottage cheese containers, mayonnaise jars, yogurt, peanut butter jars and coffee cans.

Williams said the benches last a lifetime.

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges said she supported the project.

“It is a great opportunity to work with the early learning center,” she said. “I like the idea that its recyclable and its a good learning opportunity for the village.”

Lids can be dropped off at the village hall lobby or they can be dropped off at the learning center.

“Caps can be brought to our front door, ring the bell, and we can let them in,” Williams said.