NORMAL - When it came time to draw a picture in her class about recycling, 9-year-old Anna Tulley of Normal wanted to encourage people to recycle electronics.

Anna's picture of a cell phone, computer and other items going into a recycling bin was among the images chosen by the Ecology Action Center for its 2009 calendar. She said she was surprised to be chosen.

At home, the Tulleys have three different trash cans set-up for recycling, Anna said.

The center celebrated America Recycles Day on Saturday at the Children's Discovery Museum in uptown Normal, and honored several area students for their efforts to spread the word about the benefits of recycling.

"Kids are always wonderful about getting excited about different recycling programs," said Mikki Bell, educator with the Ecology Action Center.

Unit 5's Parkside Elementary School in Normal won this year's award for the largest volume of recycling.

The action center used the museum's "Oh! Rubbish" exhibit as a back drop for the day's events.

Displays and games

In addition to a lunch and awards ceremony, the center had displays and interactive games - including one that taught about cleaning up trash at lakes and rivers - as well as craft projects that recycled bed sheets into dolls.

Every year, Bell said, the word about America Recycles Day spreads.

"It's great that so many people are aware of the program," Bell said.

Kayla Johnson, 8, of Normal said she has learned a lot about recycling in school. Johnson's picture of recycling aluminum cans at Morris Tick Co. also will appear in the calendar, which was distributed at the event.

Kayla said her family takes their recyclables to the recycling center behind Normal's Prairieland Elementary School.

Bell said it's great to see so many children getting involved.

"Recycling can be done anywhere - homes, schools and work," Bell said. "People are really beginning to see that."

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Recycling dos and don'ts

Cleanliness counts: Rinsing cans and keeping boxes out of the weather makes them easier to process.

Pay attention to what is recycled: Take it upon yourself to be an accurate recycler. A cereal box is probably great, but a greasy pizza box may not be.

Do recycle: Steel cans, aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, plastic beverage bottles, milk jugs, glass bottles and jars, cereal boxes and other clean and dry cardboard boxes.

Probably not: Plastic grocery bags, Styrofoam, light bulbs, food-soiled paper, wax paper and ceramics.

Do recycle electronics: Recycle old computers and cell phones.

Hazardous waste: Household hazardous waste like paint cans, motor oil, antifreeze, car batteries, pesticides, pool chemicals usually need to be disposed of separately.