Towns throughout the area have recently been starting up curbside recycling programs, but until recently, they were primarily for residents. Now, three high school students have brought the idea forth in their school, and the trend is catching on quickly.
Coastal Point • RYAN SAXTON
Ellyn Rozell, left, and Cristal Wright are making a difference.
Sarah Purdum, Ellyn Rozell and student council Vice President Cristal Wright helped start up a recycling program at Indian River High School that has already proven to be a big success.
“One day, we just realized that we should be recycling in the schools,” said Wright. The three girls, all active in the IRHS Honor Society, have been active in recycling in the past, be it at home or throughout their community.
The recycling initiative began in early March of this year, when Wright approached Indian River history teacher Will Revels about starting a recycling program at the school. It has since grown to a school-wide project in the current school year.
“The Delaware Solid Waste Authority has been really helpful,” said Revels. “They have been really helpful with their prices and providing all of the bins for nearly every room.” Each month, the school’s student council budgets for the cost of the pick-up. Everything from paper to plastic bottles and aluminum cans is being recycled at the high school.
“It’s amazing how much recyclables we collect each week,” said Wright.
Both the shop class and art program have been involved in facilitating the program. Shop class created lids for specific aluminum receptacles. Art students decorated posters throughout the school that are designed to encourage others to do their part.
The program is such a success that it demands constant attention from the girls.
“One week, we missed collection,” and Rozell, “and the bins in the classrooms were full by the end of the following week.”
Virtually everyone is now participating in what the three students started.
“In the beginning, it was slow,” said Wright, “but now we’re to the point that every weekend, the bins are overflowing.” Some of the teachers at the school have been adamant about the program, as well, strongly encouraging student participation.
“It seems like this generation really understands the challenges that they’re going to face,” said Revels, “and they’re willing to take action. That’s huge. If you make it available, people will recycle and take advantage of that.”
Each week, volunteers — including Purdum, Rozell and Wright — make rounds through the school, collecting the bins and boxes and sorting them into large containers that will be emptied by DSWA trucks. The process can take a little over an hour.
Roughly 46 students have already donated their time as volunteers for the program, assisting with collection and sorting.
Since they started the program, Revels and DSWA have been hearing from other schools wishing to jump on board the recycling kick.
“It’s nice to know that our students are concerned enough that they felt a need to start something like this,” Revels said. “Others are noticing that they’re dong something important and worthwhile.”