Where are the Recycling Bins?
Ashley Abraham, Staff Writer
August 31, 2009
Filed under Commentary
Le Jardin’s recycling efforts move slowly as the hectic school year begins. Although the recycling system got a rough start, it begins to move forward as the school year gets started. Because of the chaos brought forth from the transition to the new buildings and the new school year, the recycling program lags behind.
The recycling notion is not new to our school. “There was a group of people who organized a drop off and take away for cans, but that fizzled out,” says Ms. McNeil, “some students also tried to do something like that, but it fizzled out as well.” Efforts were made, but they were unstable. It is a new year, which means a fresh start. Hopefully this year, and those to follow, Le Jardin will have a definite plan.
The recycling issue is not at the top of the “to-do list” for the administration at this moment, but that does not detract from its importance, not only for our school, but for the environment as well. There has been cans thrown away around our campus, due to the lack of recycling bins.
Although the concept of recycling is obvious, we, as a school, need to step forward and progress efforts. All the responsibility should not just be piled onto the administration; the students need to get involved and acknowledge the fact that this is their school.
Ms. McNeil says, “Mr. Allen said that once the road was paved, we would get a big white bin. We need small containers as well. But, we need to figure out a way, because it’s been all talk, and no solid plan.” This bin would be set up on the side of the gym, allowing accessibility; all the recyclables would be distributed in the proper divider, inside this container.
The basics would be recycled- aluminum, plastic, glass, and paper. But in the future Ms. McNeil would want to see a progression and may go as far as “old car parts, cell phones, ect…we would start with the small things, and progress towards the big.” If our school recycles for money, the proceeds would maybe go towards school funds- athletics, classroom needs, and student activities.
Although a definite plan has not been set up, and there are no recycling cans around campus, Mrs. Roberts has made a contribution for the recycling efforts. “I added a recycling bin for paper in my room,” she says, but is unsure of where to put all the paper that she saved from being thrown away.
As the school year begins to settle down, hopefully there will be an answer to the question of where to put the recyclables. If there are any ideas for the progression of the recycling, please contact either the Environmental Club, or Journalism.