YOUTH
Leap Into Action!
Youth » Success stories » Westridge Elementary
Success stories
Westridge Elementary School, Burnaby, BC
When Eco Education BC's Waste Reduction Crew returned to Westridge Elementary this year, they discovered that some of the Grade 6 students had started up a juice box recycling program at their school.
We spoke with Rachel and Chantel, two of the students responsible for initiating this project. They told us that they began thinking of ways to reduce the amount of waste their school made after taking part in a waste audit activity with last year's Waste Reduction Crew. They found about 20 juice boxes in one garbage can following lunch hour, and learned that these containers could be diverted from the landfill and recycled into new products. They approached their teacher about setting up a recycling program, and she was soon helping them get the entire class on board! A system was established where every Friday afternoon the grade 6 class would collect and sort the containers for recycling. The principal of the school showed support by honoring the class with the Principal's Choice Award.
Rachel and Chantel shared some interesting perspectives on setting
up this kind of project. Here are some of their thoughts:
"When you put your mind to something you believe in you can continue with
it for many generations."
"We learned about taking charge and continuing something we started
with a project, and saving the environment".
"The stuff we learned from doing the juice boxes kind of just helped
how our life will be when we grow up. Maybe make a better chance
of us being able to live in a clean society with lots of fresh air
and trees and plants".
The project continues to be maintained by this year's grade 6 class, and the school has expanded their waste reduction efforts to include a weekly litterless lunch program. Congratulations Westridge!