Cease the Grease Continues

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Last year, our students participated in the Cease the Grease educational program sponsored by the Dallas Water Utilities Department. Mrs. Helen Dulac spent 3 days at our school instructing our K-5th grade students about our city water pipes and how to keep them running free and clear. The students learned about the difference between oil and grease and the proper way to dispose of each. As a culminating activity, we held a used cooking oil collection drive which coincided with Earth Day. This activity is one of our 2011-2012 activities.

This year we invited Mrs. Dulac back, and she gave our 3rd-5th grade students  a refresher course. Same information but in a different format. Students were very involved and participated in the activities with confidence. They remembered what was taught last year and commented on how their family members have been following the proper procedures when it comes to disposing of oil and grease.

Students were given a new set of tools to share with their family that would help with collecting used cooking oil and grease. They received a funnel to help pour the used cooking oil,  a grease disposable bag, and a reusable lid for a tin can to collect used cooking grease. They also received a waterdrop shaped sponge for kitchen use and a bookmark made of recycled money. A flyer reminding students where they can take their used cooking oil was also handed out. It was very interesting to hear from Mrs. Dulac that in 2005 the city had 185 calls that involved clogged pipes, but only 4 calls in 2011. Spreading the word has made a difference. 

Mrs. Dulac put together a video highlighting our activities. The video is on our school's website so our students and family members can watch it to remember to be kind to our city pipes and their pocketbooks. New students to our school will have access to the information so they too can be environmentally responsible. Check out the video at Arthur Kramer Elementary's website at dallasisd.org/Kramer.

Another video was made at the State Fair last year to inform the public about how the largest fried food event disposes of all the used cooking grease. This video can be found on You Tube and the Dallas Water Utilities website. Look for  Cease the Grease at the State Fair of Texas.