Students and teachers at a Syracuse school have found a way to turn trash into cash.   Roberts K-8 School, at 715 Glenwood Ave., is participating in a recycling effort through the New Jersey firm TerraCycle Brigade Program, which gives credits or money to organizations such as nonprofits and schools. In the case of the Roberts school, the money-maker is empty Capri Sun drink pouches.   Second-grade teacher Cara Kirkby heads the school’s recycling project.   “The Brigade Program is great because it teaches kids about recycling and reusing,” Kirkby said. “I have a bag made out of Capri Sun pouches that is used to collect the items so they can see that it has another use.”   Teams are responsible for each floor in the building — fifth-graders cover the first floor, second-graders the second floor and the middle school students the third floor.   The Capri Sun pouches are collected at school, with many students bringing them in from home, as well. Once there is enough to fill up a copy paper box — about 500 flattened pouches — Kirkby sends them to TerraCycle.   TerraCycle Brigade Programs collects non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle items and converts them into new products such as park benches, picnic tables, pots and even plant food.   TerraCycle turns the drink pouches into bags, backpacks and pencil cases, as well as plastic products such as plant caddies on wheels to move large plants around a home or office, said Stacey Krauss, public relations manager for the company.   There is no cost to join and no fees along the way. Any school, business or group can participate. Paid shipping is also provided to send in the collected waste to TerraCycle.   Points or cash are then credited to the school or non-profit organization of the participant’s choice.   There are a variety of options available for redeeming points. They can be used to obtain recycled products for a non-profit or donated to one of TerraCycle’s charity partners dedicated to environmental preservation, meals for the homeless in America, wells for people throughout the world who lack clean drinking water, to empower impoverished families or to provide school supplies for a homeless child. Points also can be converted into cash to support an organization that the donor selects. In the case of Roberts school, the funds are directed to the Parent Teacher Organization.   To date, the school has sent in 6,644 Capri Sun pouches, and at two cents per pouch, the school has netted nearly $133, Kirby said. Currently, there are more than 40 Brigade Programs.   While Kirkby has been coordinating the TerraCycle program for three years, she has been recycling at the school for 14 years.   She credits her strong environmental focus to the time she spent at State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where she majored in resource management. She earned her master’s of education degree at State University College at Cortland.   “It’s kind of in your blood after going to ESF,” she said. “It stays with you throughout life.”   It is this philosophy that she shares with the students at Roberts. In addition to the Capri Sun pouches, Kirkby and students collect paper, bottles and cans. Nearly 200 students participate in the program.   Kirkby would like to take advantage of the other Brigade Program opportunities such as collecting pens and markers to benefit the school. To do so, though, she said she it would take someone to coordinate that aspect.   She also wants to spread the word to parents, businesses and community members to spark their interest in becoming a part of a Brigade Program in an effort to support the school.   “Our students take ownership and responsibility for the cleanup of our school and classrooms. This goes further to teach them about their citizenship and global responsibility to keep our Earth clean, healthy and a nice place for everyone to live,” said Janet Kimatian, Roberts’ principal. “The funds that are generated from recycling go to the PTO who then distributes money to the school for class trips and supplies that are not purchased by the district.   “We are very happy that the students are doing something for our school and community,” she said. To learn more: Visit terracycle.com, call 866-967-6766 or email customersupport@terracycle.net for more information about the TerraCycle Brigade Program.