At Palos East Elementary School paper doesn't get thrown in the trash, plastic bottles have a special bin and aluminum cans are always separated.

Recycling in varying forms has been going on at the school for the past few years. However, this year Palos East's green efforts were kicked into high gear.

Rebekah Askeland, a teacher at the school, helped secure an almost $10,000 grant that is being used to increase recycling efforts and reduce waste. Recycling bins are now found all over the school and composting will begin in January.

Askeland's students are also involved in Disney's Friends For Change Project Green. As part of the initiative, students devised ways to reduce the school's waste. Watch the video below to get a look at their efforts.