When New Year’s Day arrives, people often vow to lose weight, save money, get physically fit and reduce stress.  But have you ever thought about making recycling one of your goals for 2010?

While it isn’t your typical resolution, recycling is a good way to get your new year off to a great start.  Our students and employees are doing their part to make ‘going green’ more than a catchphrase.  Most schools and central level departments recycle items such as paper, magazines, cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

Page Primary
The school partnered with Keep Belmont Beautiful and the City of Belmont to launch a recycling program.  Students and staff have taken an enthusiastic interest in caring for the environment.
   
“The students want to know how they can recycle,” says first grade teacher Sarah Williams.  “Once they learn which items go in the recycling bins, I often hear them say, ‘This is recyclable.’”
    
Teaching about recycling is an important life lesson, especially for kindergarten and first grade children. They are eager to learn about ways they can keep the environment clean and green.

York Chester Middle
Teaching about recycling is necessary because young people must understand their role in caring for the environment, according to teacher Melissa Fonseca.
    
“Some students are enthusiastic about recycling and others recycle reluctantly,” states Fonseca.  “It is important for students to recognize our responsibility to take care of our surroundings.”
    
One point that teachers emphasize is how recycling reduces the amount of garbage sent to the landfill.
   
Many teachers have bins in their classrooms for recycling paper.  Bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans are located outside the cafeteria. 

North Gaston High
When a new state law banned the disposal of plastic bottles in landfills, senior Kristina Dye turned to her peers in the Teen Leadership class about coordinating a recycling program.