Sandy Hook Elementary School Scores Grant To Develop Recycling Plan

NEWTOWN, CT — Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown has won a grant to develop a pilot program for recycling and composting food waste at the school.

The funding is a component of more than $82,000 in grant money awarded to 18 recipients in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania by power producer, developer, and energy storage company FirstLight. The program, meant to foster "community building and/or climate action and education," is in its second year.

"This grant will empower our school to initiate a transformative food waste recycling and composting program, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship among our students and community," said Chris Melillo, Superintendent of Newton Public Schools. "We are eager to share our progress and success with FirstLight and the wider community as we work together towards a greener future."

Andy Brydges, director of Community Relations for FirstLight, said: "We take great pride in being able to give back to organizations and entities that serve the very same communities that we live and work in, and that we are proud to serve. Our goal remains clear: to give back to the organizations that align with our mission to promote sustainability and community improvement. This year’s projects address food insecurity and waste, social support services, accessibility, education, public safety, and more."