Rothenberg Academy students learned Wednesday that used plastic bottles can be much more than trash.

As part of America Recycles Day, Rothenberg students and children from other local schools received 1,100 free fleece jackets made from recycled plastic and polyester.

"I didn't know they could do that until they told us," said Anthony Howard, 8, who said he planned to do more recycling after watching a presentation at school.

The student group in May collected 1,640 pounds of plastic for a national challenge called "Return the Warmth," which encouraged schools to recycle as much plastic as possible.

The bottles then were recycled. Sponsors, such as Sam's Club and Aquafina, provided the jackets.

Linda Holterhoff, executive director of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, told the Rothenberg students how recycled plastic can be shredded, transformed into fiber and then turned into clothing, like the fleece jackets.

Lakaya Jones, 7, said she thinks it's a great idea to recycle and she appreciated her new overcoat. "I think it's good they gave us the jackets because we've been good all year," she said. Derrick Jones, 9, said he recycles mostly paper and cans but plans to recycle more plastic bottles now.

He, too, was impressed with how his new coat was made. Just a few minutes after wearing it, he had figured out that pulling the collar of the jacket above his nose would be a great way to keep warm during winter.

"It's the best jacket I ever felt," he said.