St. Lawrence School Earns Money Through Recycling

“Don’t throw it away- recycle it! Recycling is a a great fundraiser for our school,” stated Principal Brenda Anderson. Mason City Recycling of Mason City, IA, brings a semi trailer to St. Lawrence School every six weeks. During those days, school and community members fill the trailer with paper and cardboard products to be recycled. The company pays the school for a load – about $400 each.

The school adds its paper and cardboard, but Anderson and school janitor Ken Vanorny credit the community for its generosity. “We get nearly 1,000 pounds of paper from the Valley Shopper every Friday,” Ken explained. “That alone fills one semi each year.”

According to Anderson, this year, the St. Lawrence School Student Council will take on the recycling semi trailer as one of its projects. “The student council will assist with filling the semi and encourage others to also donate their recyclables.”

Anderson and Vanorny noted that the recycling center only accepts paper, hard or soft cover books, and cardboard. They also ask you to break down and flatten the cardboard boxes.

Items not accepted include: food; garbage bags; to-go pizza boxes; styrofoam cups, plates, or boxes; cans; and aluminum or anything that has had direct contact with food. Cereal and cracker boxes are acceptable. For questions, contact Anderson at the school at 605-432-56