SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - J.H. Sissons School won its third recycling award in four years from the City of Yellowknife April 28.

The school won in the education category. The Food Rescue program received its second award in the non-profit category, while Pottinger Holdings won in the large business category and Skills Training and Community Inclusion won in the medium business category.

J.H. Sissons principal Paul Bennett said when the nomination was announced the kids were thrilled and proud of their efforts.

"It's part of the culture of the school," he said.

Last year, the school's parent advisory committee helped get a blue recycling bin put on school grounds.

"Getting the blue box was instrumental because it meant that our parents wouldn't have to take it to the dump anymore," he said. "It runs so smoothly."

Bennett added that sorting has also improved since the program started four years ago.

On Earth Day, Grade 4 and 5 students ran activities in which they taught younger students about recycling. One activity had the students dump a bag of mixed garbage on the floor and then sort through it to find what could be recycled, and how to sort it.

Bennett said the school's recycling program is just part of what the school is doing to help students become globally-minded. "When they hear about emissions and the tar sands, we want them to know they can do something," he said.

As part of Earth Day celebrations, the Yellowknife Solid Waste Management Committee hands out recycling awards annually to groups that have found innovative ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Those recognized for their recycling achievements are given a certificate.

Allison Morely, a member of the solid waste management committee, said the awards aim to raise awareness about recycling.

"By handing out what are essentially recycling awards, it's allowing the community to realize that there are other efforts out there," she said. "Some businesses have a mini recycling depot set up in their office. Some of them have a compost bin set up in their office.

"It's about recognition and saying that your efforts are paying off. Not just the community, but the environment will thank you also."

Ruby Trudel of Food Rescue said making sure as little waste as possible ends up in the landfill must be a priority.

"To waste perfectly usable food is unacceptable," she said.

Food Rescue collects food that would otherwise end up at the dump, and donates it to organizations such as the Side-Door Youth Centre and the John Howard Society. Tomatoes, bananas and apples are processed and then donated for use in cooking and baking.

Of the 58,500 kilograms pounds of food Food Rescue received last year, 57,000 kilograms was donated, and 1,300 kilograms pounds was used as compost material.

Food Rescue operates solely on the help of volunteers.

Trudel said she thinks the award for recycling that Food Rescue received is really an award for the community.

"When everyone does a little bit, the whole thing comes together," she said.