Students at local elementary schools will be competing this week to recycle as much as they can.

Keep Troy Beautiful (KTB) is teaming up with schools in the city to promote “Clean and Green week.”

According to Melissa Sanders, KTB president, students will be collecting aluminum cans and plastic bottles all week long for the chance to win an ice cream party.

“We want to get the idea of recycling into the schools and to the students,” Sanders said. “Once you get the students excited about recycling, they’ll be excited up into the grades and it gets the parents learning more about recycling. “

At Troy Elementary School, the top three classes will win ice cream parties, at Pike Liberal Arts School the top grade will win a party and at New Life Christian Academy and Covenant Christian the students must bring in 50 pounds of materials to get a school-wide party.

“We think it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to become aware of how to take care of their environment,” said Teresa Sims, TES principal. “We are excited to participate.” The competition lasts through Friday at 8 a.m.. Sanders said all items must be in by 8 a.m. Friday for pick-up so they can be weighed. Winners will be revealed the following Monday.