By recycling nearly everything at school, Northern Michigan students learn how taking small steps can make a big impact on the environment.
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY -- How much trash do you take out every week on garbage day? Well an area school with more than 200 students hopes to have that same size bin. It seems impossible, but they're getting close by recycling almost everything in sight.
"I think it's really important because our environment is so special," said Gabbie Ammond, a fifth grade student. "We can't get another one."
Reduce, reuse, recycle isn't just a saying, but rather a way of life at The Children's House, a private school in Grand Traverse County.
"I think everybody really likes to do it," said Camellia Minervini, a fourth grade student. "We remind each other which stuff we can throw away and which stuff we can recycle."
It's a team effort as the 220 students learn how the small steps they take everyday can change the big picture.
"It's kind of made me more conscious about how I use paper and stuff like that. I think it's cool our school can do this," said Ammond.
"To be able to educate students and have it become a habit at this age is so important for the future of the planet," said Michele Shane, Head of School. "We're trying to explore as many different avenues as we can, and latch onto the things that will be the most meaningful, relevant and hands-on for the students."
One of those hands-on projects is composting leftover food and used paper towels that will later help their garden grow.
"It's kind of smelly sometimes," said Steve Maas, Physical Education Teacher. "But when they see what happens, they are just amazed that this big huge pile of waste is turned into a little pile of soil."
The effort is working. The school traded in its garbage dumpster for one half the size. The extra space is filled with more recycling bins. The goal is to get down to the same size trash bin a household would use, according to school officials.
"We hope by the end of the year, we'll keep about four tons of food waste out of the landfills," said Shane. "We are excited and proud about that."
It's big results to show for a big effort, encouraging students and staff to keep the green initiative going. Besides continuing monthly recycling drives, The Children's House is also looking into alternative energy sources for the school building.They have the funding for a study to see if wind power could work.
