Middle School Recycling Initiative
Middle School Recycling Initiative
Our recycling program grew out of environmental studies and students taking a leadership role in the collection of recyclables in our middle school. Students concerned about going green organized a system of educating the student body about the importance of recycling and incorporating a student network for gathering all of the building recyclables.
1. The daily collection of recyclables is an initiative which started with students and staff concerned about the environment. Students were engaged in environmental studies and wanted to make a difference. They created signs detailing what can and cannot be recycled in the classroom bins and organized the collection of recyclables on a daily basis. The founders became leaders of the Community of Caring Recycling Club and set the objective to collecting all of the recyclables from every hallway and classroom while educating and involving all students in the effort. The leaders went to every homeroom to discuss the importance of recycling and recruited students to join in the collection as well as teachers to help with supervision. Students interested in collecting recyclables completed an application and had their teachers sign that they responsible and trustworthy. Each month, the team leaders recruit new students to conduct the daily collection. These students are trained “on the job” in getting the carts and trash bags, picking up the elevator keys and obtaining the walkie talkies along with the route of collection. The entire school is involved in the effort as every student, teacher and, staff member assist with the daily student collection and are responsible for placing all materials that can be recycled in the classroom and hallway bins.
2. The recycling program allows for character development for all students. Those students who began the movement are leaders, involving and educating others in an environmental movement to make a difference in the world. It allows for a sense of community and involvement for all students who participate in the daily collection, an activity which encourages students to be responsible and trustworthy. All other students and staff participate in the effort through recycling and are taught the value of recycling along with the importance of being environmentally responsible. All are made aware of their responsibility to future generations and exposed to the commitment to making the world a better place. One of the student leaders wrote, “Our goal is to collect all of the recyclables from every classroom and administration room. We hope to get other students and teachers involved with help ing the environment and saving many trees and forests. We hope that this Recycling Club will continue in the future and strive for a better environment. We encourage others to recycle and make a difference in the environment and hopefully change the world.” Thus, Character Development is exemplified through student leadership, problem-solving, decision-making and voice.
3. Before this student-initiated program began, all classrooms had recycling bins for paper. However, on any given day, food and non-recyclable items would be found in these bins and paper found in trash cans. With the student-created signs and presentations this began to shift. Moreover, once the daily collections began, all students became committed to the effort. This is evidenced by students reminding one another to recycle and to uphold this responsibility. The amount of recyclable material collected continuously reaches record highs. For the month of January, we collected 9.72 tons of paper which saved 30.33 cubic yards of landfill. Previously UMASD hauled away 1,600 cubic yards of trash every week (equivalent to a 40 yard construction dumpster filled with trash). Due to the recycling effort, we were able to reduce the weekly trash disposal service in March by 40% to 960 cubic yards going to the landfill because we doubled recycling to 640 cubic yards, a 13% cost savings. Students are proud of their accomplishments. Their enthusiasm is contagious and parents report that students are recycling at home!
Student Creators and Leaders of the Daily Recycling Collection
Date of Implementation 2009