The government of the northern Venezuelan state of Miranda, which covers 8,000 square kilometers and includes the eastern one-third of Caracas, launched a “Zero Garbage” program at the Monagas school to convince students and teachers alike to recycle plastic, paper and glass. The approximately 1,000 students are taking part in a contest ending Jun. 14 to collect the most plastic bottles. The winner will receive a bicycle.

“The aim is to instill in the students that what we consume leaves behind waste that can be recycled,” Monagas principal Sonia Pacheco told Tierramérica.

The top environmental official in Miranda, Evelyn Pallota, said “Zero Garbage” is expected to expand to “the 577 schools in the state, train 9,000 educators and 140,000 students in conservation practices.” The total cost for the initiative is about 690,000 dollars.