The Rochester Hills community has pitched in to help two local schools raise money for environmental education projects.

After a monthlong campaign, Long Meadow and University Hills elementary schools have each received $3,000 from Recyclebank, the city's recycling incentive program, and Domtar, the paper company.

Long Meadow plans to use the funds to purchase a recycling center for the school and put recycling containers in each classroom. University Hills plans to use the funds to help build an outdoor classroom.

The two school projects were part of Recyclebank's "Green Schools" fundraising challenge; residents were invited to donate their accumulated recycling "points" to either of the schools, and Recyclebank would in turn give the schools $1 for every 250 points donated (up to $2,500). Domtar gave an additional $500. 

The fundraising campaign ended Friday; the Rochester Hills schools were two of six schools to reach their goals; there were 27 schools selected nationally.

Last year, Brooklands Elementary School benefited from a Recyclebank grant; they planned to use the $5,000 they received for an outdoor classroom project.