--- title: "Teaching Sustainability Through Play: Crittenton Center Receives Grant for Recycling Education" description: Crittenton Center receives a grant to purchase an outdoor learning area chalkboard made from recycled materials. Teaching youth about recycling. image: https://crittentoncenter.org/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Recycling%20Logo%20Over%20Blurry%20Playground.png --- [Skip to content](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/teaching-sustainability-through-play-crittenton-center-receives-grant-for-recycling-education#main-content) Close - [Services](https://crittentoncenter.org/services) - [Child & Family Development](https://crittentoncenter.org/services/child-family-development) - [Child Welfare & Well-being](https://crittentoncenter.org/services/child-welfare-wellbeing) - [About](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us) - [Our History](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/our-history) - [Board of Directors](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/board-of-directors) - [Our Staff](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/our-staff) - [Donate](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/donate) - [Events](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/tag/events) - [Passport to Possibilities: Annual Fundraiser](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/passport-to-possibilities-your-ticket-to-an-evening-of-impact) - [Calendar of Events](https://crittentoncenter.org/calendar-of-events) - [Volunteer Opportunities](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact#volunteer-opportunities) - [News](https://crittentoncenter.org/news) - [Careers](https://crittentoncenter.org/careers) - [Locations](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact#locations) - [Contact](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact) SEARCH [How Can I Help?](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/donate) [![logo](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/crit-logo-color.png?width=250&height=60&name=crit-logo-color.png "logo")](https://crittentoncenter.org/) - [Services](https://crittentoncenter.org/services) - [Child & Family Development](https://crittentoncenter.org/services/child-family-development) - [Child Welfare & Well-being](https://crittentoncenter.org/services/child-welfare-wellbeing) - [About](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us) - [Our History](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/our-history) - [Board of Directors](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/board-of-directors) - [Our Staff](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/our-staff) - [Donate](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/donate) - [Events](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/tag/events) - [Passport to Possibilities: Annual Fundraiser](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/passport-to-possibilities-your-ticket-to-an-evening-of-impact) - [Calendar of Events](https://crittentoncenter.org/calendar-of-events) - [Volunteer Opportunities](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact#volunteer-opportunities) - [News](https://crittentoncenter.org/news) - [Careers](https://crittentoncenter.org/careers) - [Locations](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact#locations) - [Contact](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact) [How Can I Help?](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/donate) Quick results for "{search\_term}" ![](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Recycling%20Logo%20Over%20Blurry%20Playground.png?width=575&name=Recycling%20Logo%20Over%20Blurry%20Playground.png) [Crittenton Center](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/author/crittenton-center)June 15, 2026 at 10:41 AM2 min read # Teaching Sustainability Through Play: Crittenton Center Receives Grant for Recycling Education At Crittenton Center, learning extends far beyond the classroom walls. Thanks to a $2,000 Build with Bags Grant from the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Keep Iowa Beautiful, Metro Waste Authority, and Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, children at our Stella Sanford Child Development Center West will soon have a new way to learn, explore, and connect with the world around them. The grant will fund the purchase of an outdoor magnetic chalkboard made from recyclable materials, adding an exciting new feature to the center’s Outdoor Learning Center. The interactive learning tool will provide children with hands-on opportunities to explore creativity, problem-solving, and environmental awareness while spending time outdoors. This project is about more than new equipment—it’s about helping young children develop an understanding of environmental stewardship from an early age. In the week leading up to America Recycles Day on November 15, 2026, preschool classrooms will participate in age-appropriate recycling and sustainability activities designed to teach children about caring for natural resources, reducing waste, and protecting the environment. Through engaging lessons, discussions, and outdoor learning experiences, children will begin building habits that can last a lifetime. The initiative will also extend beyond the classroom through a special Recycling Week for families. Parents and caregivers will be invited to visit the enhanced Outdoor Learning Center, see the new educational equipment in action, and participate in a community recycling effort by bringing plastic bags to the center for collection and recycling. By involving families, Crittenton Center hopes to create opportunities for important conversations about sustainability at home while encouraging practical recycling habits throughout the community. Families will also receive information about local recycling locations where plastic bags and other recyclable materials can be dropped off year-round. “Teaching children about environmental responsibility starts with creating opportunities for hands-on learning,” said Kim Scorza, CEO of Crittenton Center. “This project allows us to introduce important concepts about recycling and stewardship in a way that is meaningful and engaging for young learners while also involving families in efforts that benefit our entire community.” The project reflects Crittenton Center’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative educational experiences that support the development of the whole child. By combining outdoor play, environmental education, and family engagement, the center is helping cultivate the next generation of community-minded citizens. We are grateful to the Iowa Grocery Industry Association and its partners for investing in early childhood education and helping make this project possible. ![IGIA logo cmyk transparent](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IGIA%20logo%20cmyk%20transparent.png?width=2323&height=932&name=IGIA%20logo%20cmyk%20transparent.png) ![avatar](https://43565220.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/43565220/critt_CC_RGB.jpg) #### [Crittenton Center](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/author/crittenton-center) ## RELATED ARTICLES Button Title --- [![crit-logo-wht](https://43565220.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/43565220/crit-logo-wht.png)](https://crittentoncenter.org/) Sheltering, educating, and empowering children, individuals, and families.   600 4th Street Suite 100 Sioux City, IA 51101 [**Services**](https://43565220.hs-sites.com/services) - [Child & Family Development](https://crittentoncenter.org/services/child-family-development) - [Child Welfare & Well-being](https://crittentoncenter.org/services/child-welfare-wellbeing) [**About Us**](https://43565220.hs-sites.com/about-us) - [Our History](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/our-history) - [Board of Directors](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/board-of-directors) - [Our Staff](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/our-staff) - [Donate](https://crittentoncenter.org/about-us/donate) [**Events**](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/tag/events) - [Volunteer Opportunities](https://crittentoncenter.org/contact#volunteer-opportunities) - [Windmills & Wedges: Golf for OC Kids](https://crittentoncenter.org/news/windmills-wedges-golf-for-oc-kids) - [Calendar of Events](https://crittentoncenter.org/calendar-of-events) [**News**](https://43565220.hs-sites.com/news) [**Contact**](https://43565220.hs-sites.com/contact) [**Careers**](https://43565220.hs-sites.com/careers) [![COA_White_Logo_2019](https://43565220.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/43565220/Global/COA_White_Logo_2019.png)](https://coanet.org/) [![phone-circle](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/phone-circle.png?width=24&height=25&name=phone-circle.png)](tel:17122554321)    [![envelope-circle](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/envelope-circle.png?width=24&height=25&name=envelope-circle.png)](mailto:info@crittentoncenter.org)    [![facebook](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook.png?width=25&height=25&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/crittentoncenter)    [![linkedin-circle](https://crittentoncenter.org/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin-circle.png?width=25&height=25&name=linkedin-circle.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/crittenton-center/)[tel:17122554321](tel:17122554321) © 2023 Crittenton Center | [Privacy Policy](https://43565220.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy-crittenton-center) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "United States", "addressLocality" : "Sioux City", "addressRegion" : "Iowa", "postalCode" : "51106", "streetAddress" : "4212 Gordon Drive" }, "knowsLanguage" : "en", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://43565220.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/43565220/crit-logo-color.png" }, "name" : "Crittenton Center", "url" : "https://crittentoncenter.org/news/teaching-sustainability-through-play-crittenton-center-receives-grant-for-recycling-education" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "abstract" : "Crittenton Center receives a grant to purchase an outdoor learning area chalkboard made from recycled materials. Teaching youth about recycling.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Crittenton Center" }, "dateModified" : "June 15, 2026 3 PM", "datePublished" : "June 15, 2026 3 PM", "headline" : "Teaching Sustainability Through Play: Crittenton Center Receives Grant for Recycling Education", "image" : "https://43565220.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/43565220/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Recycling%20Logo%20Over%20Blurry%20Playground.png", "inLanguage" : "en", "keywords" : "[News, Press Release]", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "Teaching Sustainability Through Play: Crittenton Center Receives Grant for Recycling Education", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://43565220.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/43565220/crit-logo-color.png" }, "name" : "Crittenton Center" }, "text" : "At Crittenton Center, learning extends far beyond the classroom walls. Thanks to a $2,000 Build with Bags Grant from the Iowa Grocery Industry Association, Keep Iowa Beautiful, Metro Waste Authority, and Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, children at our Stella Sanford Child Development Center West will soon have a new way to learn, explore, and connect with the world around them. The grant will fund the purchase of an outdoor magnetic chalkboard made from recyclable materials, adding an exciting new feature to the center’s Outdoor Learning Center. The interactive learning tool will provide children with hands-on opportunities to explore creativity, problem-solving, and environmental awareness while spending time outdoors. This project is about more than new equipment—it’s about helping young children develop an understanding of environmental stewardship from an early age. In the week leading up to America Recycles Day on November 15, 2026, preschool classrooms will participate in age-appropriate recycling and sustainability activities designed to teach children about caring for natural resources, reducing waste, and protecting the environment. Through engaging lessons, discussions, and outdoor learning experiences, children will begin building habits that can last a lifetime. The initiative will also extend beyond the classroom through a special Recycling Week for families. Parents and caregivers will be invited to visit the enhanced Outdoor Learning Center, see the new educational equipment in action, and participate in a community recycling effort by bringing plastic bags to the center for collection and recycling. By involving families, Crittenton Center hopes to create opportunities for important conversations about sustainability at home while encouraging practical recycling habits throughout the community. Families will also receive information about local recycling locations where plastic bags and other recyclable materials can be dropped off year-round. “Teaching children about environmental responsibility starts with creating opportunities for hands-on learning,” said Kim Scorza, CEO of Crittenton Center. “This project allows us to introduce important concepts about recycling and stewardship in a way that is meaningful and engaging for young learners while also involving families in efforts that benefit our entire community.” The project reflects Crittenton Center’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative educational experiences that support the development of the whole child. By combining outdoor play, environmental education, and family engagement, the center is helping cultivate the next generation of community-minded citizens. We are grateful to the Iowa Grocery Industry Association and its partners for investing in early childhood education and helping make this project possible.", "url" : "https://crittentoncenter.org/news/teaching-sustainability-through-play-crittenton-center-receives-grant-for-recycling-education", "wordCount" : "565" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Crittenton Center", "url" : "https://crittentoncenter.org/news/author/crittenton-center" }, "dateModified" : "2026-06-15T15:47:46.975Z", "datePublished" : "2026-06-15T15:41:18.000Z", "headline" : "Teaching Sustainability Through Play: Crittenton Center Receives Grant for Recycling Education", "image" : [ "https://crittentoncenter.org/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Recycling%20Logo%20Over%20Blurry%20Playground.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://crittentoncenter.org/news/teaching-sustainability-through-play-crittenton-center-receives-grant-for-recycling-education", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://crittentoncenter.org/hubfs/crit-logo-color.png" }, "name" : "Crittenton Center" } } ```