Photo - Green thumb

Princess Anne Public School student Julian Reid plants flowers in front of the YMCA on Durham Street as part of the YMCA Green Community Initiative program.

The YMCA has implemented this new program to encourage "green behaviours" throughout the facility. Staff members are encouraged to reduce and recycle by using refillable coffee mugs, refilled or recycled printer toner cartridges and properly disposing of toxic items, such as paint and batteries. They are encouraged to use sustainable goods, such as recycled office supplies, mops fabricated from recycled pop bottles and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

The YMCA is conserving energy by installing motion sensor lights and removing lights from vending machines. The school children travelled to the YMCA using city transit and, once there, enjoyed a swim in the pool. In appreciation of their help, the YMCA has invited the students to spend the day at Camp Falcona to learn more about the organization’s green initiatives.