Garfield Elementary School students learn about recycling

CEDAR RAPIDS — A new “Star Wars” lunchbox is in 6-year-old John Maloy’s future, but the space enthusiast’s lunchtime excitement Monday centered around a closer-to-home initiative to benefit planet Earth. “Reduce, reuse, recycle,” the Garfield Elementary School kindergartner recited after dropping his milk carton and plastics in recycling bins in the school cafeteria. “It usually goes in the trash,” he said about the materials being recycled with the help of Green Iowa AmeriCorps. Monday was a test project of AmeriCorps’ Garbage Gabbers program at Garfield, 1201 Maplewood Dr. NE. Seven members of Green Iowa AmeriCorps, who promote energy savings through weatherization and environmental education, directed students on where to properly place their recyclables during the school’s lunch hour.