DAPHNE, Ala. — The city of Daphne already has a robust recycling program featuring curbside pickup throughout the city. But, not all of the public schools here currently take advantage of what could be a learning activity.

Students at Daphne East Elementary are on board, however. The school nestled along County Road 13 recently acquired a 3-by-8-foot Pro Mini Recycle Station, a purchase made possible in part by a $2,500 grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The four-compartment unit will be used to collect various materials, including paper and plastic bottles.

There are also numerous 64- and 96-gallon containers onsite at the school that are being used to collect recyclables, including cardboard.

Tracey Miller, city solid waste coordinator, said Coach Carol Valdes, who teaches physical education and is the sponsor of the school’s Environmental Club, kicked off the push for a more active recycling effort more than a year ago.

Working with school principal Becky Lundberg and other staff members, Miller and the city sought the ADEM grant, from funding normally earmarked for landfill cleanup.

“Our goal was to get into the schools and let the children take it home to the parents. Maybe the parents will grasp it (the recycling concept) from the children,” Miller said. She added, “We don’t have 100 percent participation from the schools.”

Of the city’s public schools, only Daphne High School, Daphne Elementary School and J. Carroll School join Daphne East in the recycling effort. Christ the King Catholic School and Bayside Academy also recycle.

Miller noted that it’s important to educate children early about recycling because it is a lesson they carry with them. Although the high school recycles, some materials must be discarded because food is thrown in recycling bins there. She said the students at DHS did not receive the same level of instruction early on as that now available at DEES.

“We get a lot of contaminated material there. I didn’t talk to those students when they were in Pre-K. They are not educated in what needs to be done.” She pointed out that so far, no material from Daphne East has been redirected to the landfill.

Miller said the ADEM grant was paired with community funding that will help bring about teachable moments as Daphne East students and faculty recycle. Several area businesses and organizations showed their support.

Miller said Charmayne Watson, president of the Alabama Recycle Coalition presented to the school a $1,000 check to support recycling efforts. The funds will be used to bring in Auntie Litter to present the Auntie Litter program to the 920 students attending the school.

Gill Craig of Southern Ionics Inc. gave the school $300 for the program, and donated construction materials to build the padding and steps needed for installation of the recycling station.

Hot Wheels Skating Rink also partnered with DEES, and honored 30 students who answered recycling questions correctly with free passes for skating.

Bud Cooper of Tarpon Paper Co. in Loxley presented poster contest winners with $25-$50 Walmart gift cards to be used toward the purchase of environmentally friendly school supplies.

Miller said other educational resources will be used to drive home the environmental message. Among them, she said, will be coloring books, crossword puzzles, activity books, stickers for progression and other incentives.

The city’s alliance with Daphne East is expected to enhance the school’s recycling efforts. This will be used as a pilot program for other school wishing to participate.

“We partnered with them to help their program be successful,” Miller said.

ADEM grants for starting or expanding school recycling programs are still available. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2012.

For more information regarding recycling, or how to bring a program to a school, church or neighborhood, contact the city of Daphne Solid Waste Coordinator at 621-3182.