They say kids are our future, and Philadelphia schools are proving it: last month, they raised $28,536 for student-created green projects.

On May 16, Mayor Kenney announced that Philacycle awarded the impressive total to 13 Philadelphia public, private, and charter schools as part of Recyclebank’s national Green Schools Program.

Philacycle, a partnership between Recyclebank and the City of Philadelphia, gives out points to Philadelphians for their daily green actions, rewarding them with discounts on local businesses and sustainable goodies. (You can sign up for the Philacycle website here).

The Green Schools project started in 2010. Elementary and secondary schools from across the country submit proposals, and after Recyclebank posts the top projects on its website, members can donate their points to their favorite projects. Recyclebank then grants $1 for every 250 points, and schools receive a check to put their plans into action.

Philly’s success is no accident. Schools in the city have won more than $205,000 in grants through this program since its founding.

The 13 Philly schools that raked in the cash this year:

• Cook-Wissahickon Elementary
• Edwin M. Stanton School
• George A McCall School
• Inquiry Charter School
• Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences
• Joseph J. Greenberg Elementary School
• Richard Wright Elementary
• Saint Francis Xavier School
• Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
• The Waldorf School of Philadelphia
• William M. Meredith Elementary
• William Penn Charter School

Projects include an indoor interactive garden at Inquiry Charter School, filtered hydration stations at Saint Francis Xavier School, and a run-off collecting water-play space at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia. Check out the other plans here.

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Brianna is a Philly-based journalist and Baltimore native with a passion for reporting on urban sustainability and environmental justice. In her free time, she's an amateur vegetarian chef, Harry Potter trivia champion and occasional world traveler. View all posts by Brianna Baker