It’s a race: Phoenix-area schools holding plastic bag collecting drive

PHOENIX — Several Phoenix-area schools are holding a drive to see which can collect the most plastic bags over the next several weeks.

The elementary schools in Queen Creek are participating in the Bench the Bag campaign through April 12. The school that collects the most plastic bags will win a new bench — made of recycled plastic bags.

“Kids get to see how the plastic bags can be re-used,” Queen Creek spokeswoman Constance Halonen-Wilson said. “And, of course, they get the pride of having it at their school.”

Queen Creek residents can help local students (and the environment) by taking their plastic bags to any of the following schools Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• American Leadership Academy, 19843 E. Chandler Heights Road, Queen Creek
• Desert Mountain Elementary, 22301 S. Hawes Road, Queen Creek
• Frances-Brandon Pickett Elementary, 22076 E. Village Loop, Queen Creek
• Gateway Polytechnic Academy, 5149 S. Signal Butte, Mesa
• Jack Barnes Elementary, 20750 S. 214th Street, Queen Creek
• Queen Creek Elementary, 23636 S. 204th Street, Queen Creek

Accepted plastic bags include grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaner bags, department store bags and shrink wrap. Bags must be empty and clean.

“We really want to take the opportunity to work with our youth, and educate them about recycling opportunities,” Halonen-Wilson said.

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