Mackeben Elementary School Recognized as IDOT Sustainable Partner

Thanks to first grade student Ben Tabor and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Office of Sustainable Practices, Mackeben Elementary School is now collecting rain water in an effort to promote water recycling and help reduce pollution caused by storm water runoff.

Ben Tabor entered his creative decorative design in the 2011 Rain Barrel Design Competition sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Office of Sustainable Practices and was one of the top five designs selected within IDOT’s District 1 consisting of Cook, Kane, DuPage, Will, Lake and McHenry Counties. The top five winning designs from each of IDOT’S nine districts across the state were each awarded a rain barrel for the artists to paint. Ben enlisted the help of his fellow classmates in Miss Hadley’s room to assist with the painting of the rain barrel based on his winning design.

The contest was developed for by the Illinois Department of Transportation as an effort to promote water recycling while enhancing artistic abilities. Rain barrels not only conserve water, they also help reduce water bills and pollution by reducing storm water runoff. One of the best reasons to start harvesting rainwater with a rain barrel is that you will teach and encourage others to do the same which will in turn help the community and the environment.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is committed to reducing the amount of unclean water polluting our water resources by facilitating the competition, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Corrections/Illinois Correctional Industries, with the goal of encouraging Illinois students to incorporate green practices into their lives at an early age.  The contest was open to all kindergarten through grade five Illinois elementary schools.

For more information on using a rain barrel, go to www.rainbarrelguide.com.

Press release submitted by D158 communications.