As part of our first module in Language Arts, we are learning to care for the Earth and have become Recycling Advocates.  We have researched what it means to reduce, reuse and recycle.  Many students were disappointed to learn that this year paper is no longer recycled at Brecknock because there isn’t a recycling truck to come collect it.  We know that schools use a lot of paper, so we decided to start our own recycling program.  We learned that a local organization, the Mennonite Central Committee, recycles paper and other items to raise funds to cover shipping costs for the many relief kits that they send around the world. We have decided to collect paper at Brecknock and recycle it through MCC.

First, students worked in groups to write letters.  We wrote to Mrs. Hogan, the custodian, to ask her for 6 recycling bins and boxes to transport the paper in.  We wrote a letter to Mrs. Andersen, the principal, to explain our project and ask permission. We wrote an email to all Brecknock teachers to let them know they can start recycling paper in the office and teacher work room.

Next, we prepared our recycling bins by labeling them with signs to show what can and can’t be recycled. Groups prepared, practiced and presented the recycling project to each third grade homeroom. We also delivered the bins to the office and work room.

Our plan is to empty bins once a week and put the paper in boxes to deliver to MCC. We have a recycling center on a cart in our classroom. Students may need to sort out items that aren’t recyclable. Once we get a cart load of boxes, I’ll drive them to the MCC recycling center.  We’ve had a lot of interest from other classes in the building who are interested in joining us in our recycling effort.  If things go smoothly, we may soon be distributing more bins throughout the school!