In recognition of Earth Day, GIANT Food Stores donated 24 benches made from recycled plastic bags to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful's Litter Free School Zone Program as part of GIANT’S ongoing Bags to Benches initiative.

The 24 benches were placed on school grounds across the state as part of campus restorations and playground enhancements.  Participating schools within the GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets region were eligible to receive a bench.

The following Litter Free School Zone schools received a recycled content bench--

-- Berks County: Muhlenberg Elementary Center, Laureldale, Berks County

-- Blair County: Pleasant Valley Elementary, Altoona;

-- Cambria County: Blacklick Valley Jr/Sr High School, Nanty Glo;

-- Chester County: Avon Grove Charter School, West Grove;

-- Cumberland County: Trinity High School, Camp Hill;

-- Dauphin County: Lancaster Mennonite School - Hershey Campus, Hummelstown

-- Delaware County: Tinicum School, Essington;

-- Lancaster County: Conestoga Valley High School, Lancaster;

-- Monroe County: Tobyhanna Elementary School, Pocono Pines (photo)  

-- Philadelphia: Wissahickon Charter School, Philadelphia

-- York County: Dillsburg Elementary School, Dillsburg and Wellsville Elementary School, Wellsville

“GIANT/MARTIN’S is committed to being a responsible retailer and currently 77% of all company waste is kept out of landfills,” said Chris Brand, external communications and community relations director, GIANT Food Stores. “Our ongoing efforts include recycling plastic bags through our Bags to Benches program, reducing food waste by donating more than one million meals through our Meat the Needs program and saving more than 930,000 trees by recycling cardboard.”

Customers can recycle plastic bags at any GIANT Food Stores or MARTIN’S Food Markets. It takes about 10,000 plastic bags to make one park bench.

Since 1997, more than 1,500 benches have been donated to local fire departments, churches, schools, townships, parks and playgrounds.  Click Here for more information on GIANT’S responsible retailing efforts and commitment to the environment.

“The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Litter Free School Zone program encourages community leadership, responsibility and a respect for the environment and the world around them,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep PA Beautiful. “The recycled content benches from GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S  Food Markets is an appropriate way to bring Litter Free School Zone cleanups, recycling and educational activities full circle.  We are very grateful for the continuing support and generosity of GIANT and MARTIN’S.”

To learn more about school-based anti-litter programs, visit KPB’s Litter Free School Zone webpage or contact Stephanie Larson by sending email to: slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121 x104. 

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.

Sign up now for the 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup and beautification event through May 31.

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[Posted: May 8, 2018]

5/14/2018