News Releases from Region 06

Round Rock, TX, Student Wins President’s Environmental Youth Award

DALLAS – (Oct. 23, 2018) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that fourth-grader Asvini Thivakahran won a President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). Asvini is being honored for creating battery recycling program at her school and community in Round Rock, Texas. Her efforts have kept more than half a ton of batteries from going to landfills.

“We are very proud of Asvini for seeing a problem and creating a solution through passion and dedication,” said Regional Administrator Anne Idsal. “Her hard work has benefitted the environment, her school, and her community.”

After recycling batteries in her home, Asvini also wanted to educate her schoolmates at Brushy Creek Elementary. She started a campaign to raise awareness of the harmful environmental effects of batteries and worked with her principal to place recycling bins in classrooms. She then took her efforts to more locations in the community, setting up recycling points at the library, recreation centers, and another school, and even addressed the city council about the importance of battery recycling.

Each year the PEYA program honors environmental awareness projects developed by young individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school), summer camps, public interest groups and youth organizations. Winners from across the country were recently recognized with a series of events in Washington, DC.

The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's youth.

For information on environmental education at EPA, visit https://www.epa.gov/education 

For details on the new PEYA winners, visit http://www2.epa.gov/education/presidents-environmental-youth-award-peya-winners

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Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm 

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