We brought with us a large display board to explain what was recyclable. The board was divided into 2 sections --the green side for ‘Paper’ & the blue side for ‘Bottles, Cartons & Cans’-- with the actual papers, water bottles and juice cartons glued onto the board. Our goal was to simplify what they need to know and this visual/tactile guide seemed easiest to follow.
We discussed what couldn’t be recycled: any plastic bottle with a large opening (i.e. yogurt containers) as well as napkins, hand wipes, paper towels and tissues (‘soft paper’). This was a surprise to most students and teachers alike. We later found out that many students have been instructing their families on the rules of recycling as well.
Once we explained what could be recycled, we checked each classroom to be sure they had the appropriate recycling supplies. Most classrooms had only a ‘paper’ recycling bin and a garbage bin. We asked the teachers and students if they needed a ‘bottles, cartons and can’s’ bin as well. Those that did were given one by the end of the week. We discussed the responsibilities of the classroom recycling monitors - at the end of each day they must empty their recycling bins into the large recycling bins at the end of the hall on their floor.
Lastly, we told them about the ‘Super Green Eco Team’, our enthusiastic student team, who serve as ‘inspectors’ for each classroom and showed them the ‘A-OK! Badge’ that would be posted on their door once they passed inspection.
The students had so many questions! ‘Can sandpaper be recycled?’ & ‘Can wood shavings from pencils?’ One class was even assigned recycling research for homework. In the end, they wanted to know what we were going to win (the Golden Apple Award & money) and what would happen if we didn’t win. We explained that there’s always next year and that by learning to recycle now, they would learn the importance of recycling and that would last a lifetime, and that in itself is a win-win situation.
