A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Current Transitions for their recycling efforts and their educational services to the State of South Carolina.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Current Transitions for their recycling efforts and for the educational services they provide; and

Whereas, established in 2013, Current Transitions is a South Carolina non-profit. Its mission is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life for individuals who have intellectual delays by providing training and coaching in critical life skills within a safe and friendly environment; and

Whereas, Current Transitions offers classes in communications, social skills, music, art, sciences, mathematics, health, gardening, and vocational skills, among other subjects. About twenty-five students from Horry County attend these classes; and

Whereas, Current Transitions' students have always collected recyclable waste generated at class, but about four years ago, after a class on recycling and the environment, the students decided to begin a project to recycle aluminum cans from home as well. They understood that recycling aluminum is one of the best ways for them to help the environment and that a nearby metal recycling center would pay for the cans, which would help them raise money for field trips; and

Whereas, over four years, the student recycling project has paid for trips to the Ingram Planetarium, Vereen Memorial Gardens, Ripley's Aquarium, and WonderWorks. They recently surpassed the one hundred thousand can milestone, which means they have recycled about eight miles of cans placed end to end; and

Whereas, the energy savings from recycling aluminum is substantial. It is a very energy intensive process to get metallic aluminum from bauxite ore, requiring about twenty times as much energy to produce a can as it does to create a can from recycled aluminum. It is reported that the difference in the energy required to produce a can from ore vs recycled aluminum is equivalent to about half a can of gasoline; and

Whereas, recycling one hundred thousand cans has saved about four thousand five hundred gallons of gasoline, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a similar amount, and reduced litter and landfill usage; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate greatly appreciate the dedication and commitment that the students of Current Transitions have shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Current Transitions for their recycling efforts and for the educational services they provide to the students and the State of South Carolina.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to co-directors and instructors at Current Transitions, Mary Hager and Gracie Williams, and volunteer instructor, Stan Hager.

----XX----