Recyclebank, the company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from local and national businesses, announced the EcoAcademy Challenge, a nationwide sweepstakes to educate, motivate and inspire people to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle throughout the school year.

The Challenge takes members on a journey through a virtual classroom to learn green living facts and boost their eco-IQ. Along the way, participants can take interactive quizzes, make pledges and earn Recyclebank Points that can be used to redeem rewards.

Each time members earns points through EcoAcademy, they are automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win one of 26 prizes, including a grand prize of $5,000 in cash.

To take the Challenge, people can visit the EcoAcademy webpage and start earning points immediately. Each week, Recyclebank will unlock a new classroom — including science, study hall and home economics — and reveal a series of tips and challenges related to that classroom. For each challenge completed, participants earn Recyclebank Points.

Additionally, members earn another entry into the sweepstakes for each friend they refer to Recyclebank.

"With our EcoAcademy Challenge, Recyclebank hopes to teach everyone that it's fun and easy to be green," said Javier Flaim, chief marketing officer at Recyclebank. "As we prepare our children for the new school year, it's the perfect time to brush up and think about our own eco-IQ. Together, let's all go back to school and learn how we can collectively make a huge impact on our environment by making simple changes and greener choices daily."

In addition to the grand prize winner, Recyclebank will award five first place winners with $500 in cash and 20 second place winners with 5,000 Recyclebank Points. These points can be used to "shop" at the Recyclebank website for rewards such as gift cards for iTunes, Gap, Walmart, and Best Buy and coupons from Ziploc, Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, UnderArmour.com, Vapur, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kids Konserve, Kmart.com and hundreds more.

Members who take the EcoAcademy Challenge have a chance to win 26 prizes, including:Grand Prize – $5,000 cash; 5 First Place Prizes – $500 cash; 20 Second Place Prizes – 5,000 Recyclebank points.

For more details on the Challenge, which runs until September 12, visit the Recyclebank EcoAcademy webpage.

8/20/2012