Georgia Public Service Commission Chairman Jason Shaw and Vice Chairman Tim Echols teamed up for an Earth Day challenge, where participating Georgia students collect recyclable glass for a contest with cash prizes.

The students came through beautifully.

At 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 19, at Zoo Atlanta’s Georgia Natural Gas Amphitheater, Commissioners Shaw and Echols will recognize the students and schools for their efforts. All participating schools will receive entry into Zoo Atlanta and lunch at the awards ceremony sponsored by Georgia Natural Gas. The 10 schools that collected the most glass, by weight, will receive cash prizes.

Each school’s effort was coordinated by a student-led club. The glass collection, rinsing, and sorting was done by students at the schools.

Announcements will be made at Friday’s event regarding the top performing schools and the total the amount of glass diverted from landfills and sent to the Arglas recycling plant in Valdosta, Ga., and to be recycled into new glass.

“Students today are pulled in many directions with competing interests,” Echols said. “I want to highlight extraordinary effort for a cause that helps us all – reducing landfill waste and inspiring environmental collaboration. These students have worked hard and collected tons of clean glass.”

Echols came up with the idea to challenge students to a recycling contest. He approached PSC Chairman Jason Shaw with the idea and together the glass recycling contest was born.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of the work put in by these students,” Shaw said. “They certainly earned the recognition – and the prizes for their schools.”

“As a member of the sustainable task force for Atlanta, I’m very excited about the possibility of glass being recycled in the future,” said Reza Abree, of United Consulting. “These young people at the schools have demonstrated a unique resource to us.”

Participating schools and clubs are: 

Jones County High School’s Transition Academy

The New School’s Yes, Ignite! Club

Stockbridge High Schools’s National Honor Society Chapter

The Alternative Virtual Academy Perry Center’s Science Department

Rome High School’s BEAR Club

Stratford Academy’s Middle School Students

New Hampstead K-8’s Band

St. Pius X Catholic High School’s Green Club

Maynard Jackson High School’s Planet A Environmental Club

Innovation Academy’s Rotary Interact Club & Environmental Stewardship

Elkins Pointe Middle School’s Junior Beta Club

Fulton Science Academy’s Beta Club

Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael of Atlanta’s National Honor Society

Springmont School’s Recycling Club

Mill Springs Academy’s Leadership Student Organization

Hephzibah High School’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program

Cambridge High School’s Future Farmers of America

Simpson Middle School’s Simpson Eagles Environment Team

Woodland Middle School’s Beta Club

Lambert High School’s DECA

Alpharetta High School’s Women’s Soccer Team

Milton High School’s Beta Club

Bainbridge High School’s Math Club

Pope High School’s Environmental Club.

The contest was sponsored by Commissioners Echols and Shaw, Georgia Natural Gas, Arglass, Coca-Cola, United Consulting, MHC Kenworth, Bulldog Movers, and Republic Waste Services.