REACT to Recycle

The grade 7/8 Health class is undertaking projects to improve our school, community and the world. This one organizes a recycling program in our school. To date recycling has only been given token attention. The regional waste management group (REACT) has started a new recycling program that does not require sorting of materials, thereby requiring only one recycling bin. This reduces the amount of time and space required to recycle school waste.

The project needs bins (elementary rooms) or cans, motivational posters, instructional posters, reusable counting posters (how much was diverted from the landfill), the recycling dumpster (the school will pay the fee), and enthusiasm from the students.

The new recycling system for our region has not been very well advertised. This project would take some knowledge home on what households can recycle, and how much ‘easier’ it has become. Previously plastics could not be recycled here, but now this prominent part of our society can be reused rather then dumped! Another reason for the students to celebrate. Our school newsletter is shared throughout the community – we will use it to promote our activities and work.

REACT to Recycle project is organized by a team in the grade 7/8 Health class to Engage our students in active and participatory citizenship. This particular project allows student to Lead their peers in becoming active in their world. By doing this work, the students will realize they Live in the world and recognize the value of making positive changes toward environmental sustainability.

Update (April 14, 2013)

Bruno School is within a region controlled by a solid waste and recycling authority, REACT (http://www.reactsask.ca). Last fall, this association began a new stream system to include plastic in the recycling. Previously the school has recycled ink cartridges and batteries but sporadically recycled paper. This Imagineaction grant was the opportunity to make a big change.

"REACT to Recycle" project was created by the Health 7/8 class to reduce our reliance on the landfill. It would now be easier for our school to recycle plastic and paper products, as it does not need to be sorted. We do not have a measurement on the reduction of waste but there is at least 100L per week, to date. By getting students knowledgeable and involved in recycling locally, they will take these skills home, training community adults to make it a part of their daily rhythm.

The elementary students have started on a vermicompost system as well. We have 6 bins (named after rock bands, of course), potting soil, peat moss, and 3 lbs of red wigglers. The organic waste from lunches is fed to the worms, so far they are voracious about the food the young students provide. On Earth Day, we intend to start collecting the high school's organic waste to provide a local flock of free-range poultry with a portion of their diet.

Update (April 29, 2013)

The project has been a great success. Students from the Grade 5/6 class have really taken on the work involved with recycling and vermicomposting. Thank you to Imagineaction and the CTF for getting us started.