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Join the Movement!
Join the Movement!
RFIS welcomes the community's help to save plastic caps and lids so we can make more benches! Start a collection at-home, at-school, at-work, or ANYWHERE!
Start your collection of caps and lids. Make sure they are rinsed clean and without metal. Store in a container or bag and then send them into RFIS with a student or drop them at the office. As of May 20, 2025, the RFIS student council has collected about 66 paper boxes of caps and lids (approx. 500 pounds) but we want loads more to make the journey to Evansville, IN to transform them into benches worth the trip!
By providing the plastic caps and lids, we can reduce the cost of the benches. We will still need to fundraise in the near future.
In December 2023, RFIS installed 11 benches thanks to this program and sponsorship from NJEA through Sustainable Jersey, the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning, and a coin collection at school.
Click on the video (left) and learn about how caps change to resin material.
IMG_6083.MOVLearn how to start a collection in your classroom
Learn how to start a collection in your classroom
Tips on how to start a collection at home! (below)
Caps at home.MOVStudent council representative thanks Starbuck's manager for her store's efforts collecting caps
Starbucks joins the effort to build benches at Reading Fleming Intermediate School-One Cap at a time
The students and staff of Reading Fleming Intermediate School (RFIS), Flemington, have collected plastic caps and lids as part of the Green Tree Plastics recycling program for years now. Through this initiative organizations save plastic caps and lids from everyday containers and then raise funds to transform the unwanted plastic into benches at a discount. In December 2023, RFIS established an outdoor classroom with seven benches and placed four large benches along the school’s walking path thanks to over 700 pounds of caps and lids and grant funding.
But the students want more benches so the cap collection is going strong again and the 166 NJ Route 31 Starbucks joined the effort. Starbucks uses a variety of milk containers and before they are recycled or trashed, the lids are popped into a cup for RFIS. This simple gesture provides a steady flow of caps and establishes a supportive relationship between the students and Starbucks. Here student council member Molly Hadzimichalis presents the Starbucks manager with a student made thank you card and propagated plants in recycled Starbucks cups.
So now the question is whether RFIS can encourage other businesses to join the effort. If your business is interested in donating caps and lids, please contact Lisa Coster at lisa.coster@frsd.us.
November 2023
RFIS STUDENT COUNCIL TRANSFORMS PLASTIC CAPS INTO OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
After a two-year campaign, the Student Council of Reading-Fleming Intermediate School has reached their goal of collecting 700 pounds of plastic caps and lids. This amount is enough to make benches for the school’s outdoor classroom. The Student Council promotes recycling and sustainability practices throughout the school including using refillable water bottles and classroom recycling. They have championed this effort as part of their plastic awareness promotions. Students collected plastic caps and lids in their classrooms as well as through bins placed in the cafeteria. The Student Council has also developed many partnerships throughout the community in their collection effort. The repurposing program is made possible by ABC Promise Partnership of GreenTree Plastics in Evansville, Indiana, which will take the caps and lids and mold them into durable resin backless benches. These benches will be part of the new RFIS outdoor classroom adjacent to the pollinator garden. The Student Council also welcomes any family or business interested in adopting a royal blue bench with a back and commemorative plaque. Details on the “Adopt a Bench” campaign can be found on the school’s website in the virtual backpack section. The deadline for adopting a bench is December.
Road Trip 12/23 to transform caps and lids into benches!
f7457da1cd6d451598afb3f8f802ebbb.MP4
What kinds of caps and lids are acceptable?
Really anything as long as there is no metal! See below for more details
Life of a Cap.pdfAcceptable Caps List with Pictures.pptxPage updated
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