Afterschool at The Benjamin Middle School

This purpose of this project was to teach students about recycling and composting certain waste materials. Last year another fellow initiated a recycling program at the Benjamin Middle and Lower School, this project aimed to continue that work and take it one step further with composting.

Before the program was started, the 6th grade took a field trip to the Solid Waste Authority to learn about what happens to the recycled material and how recyclables that ended up in the regular garbage just end up in a landfill. Having students see the garbage and the paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling programs, really made an impact upon our students and empowered them with the knowledge that every time they throw something into a recycling bin, it is being kept out of the landfill. We decided to have a competition between the grade levels to see who could do the most. Colorful signs were used to inform other students about the project. There was also a pledge poster where students could sign their name and pledge to compost and recycle. Next fall students will be able to use the composting material to fertilize plants around campus. So far the project is going very well. Many students are properly recycling materials at lunch. It is obvious that students are taking a great interest in this project. Instead of just throwing out trash, they now ask what can be recycled or composted.