By ALEC HERNANDEZ –

The View –  

For some students in Amanda Malson’s leadership class, recycling is more than a word. It’s become a lesson in how to change our culture enough to make a difference.

They are making posters and flyers that inform people why it is important to recycle and what can be recycled. They also are redecorating lunch room trash cans with a list of what can and can’t go into recycling bins to help promote good recycling.

“People want to recycle — they just don’t know how to or where to go,” said Francesa Rühl, an exchange student from Germany who is part of the recycling re-education team. “We want to make sure people know what can and can’t go into recycling and to have all recycling receptacles clearly labeled.”

Juulianna Ylisaukko-oja, a Finnish exchange student and member of the recycling group, was shocked when she saw the state of CV’s recycling program. “In Finland, everyone recycles and it is much more organized there,” she said.

The leadership group isn’t the only organization focusing on recycling. Castle View first started recycling in 2008 with the the club Castle View Goes Green, more commonly called CV², sponsored by science teacher Jennifer Dallman.

CV² has focused on educating the school on all environmental issues, from energy consumption to recycling paper. “We hope to bring awareness and sustainability through education,” Dallman said.

The school district has a program that rewards schools for their efforts in recycling and conservation. Dallman and her classes have earned Castle View $35,000 over the past two years for their work in energy conservation. One reform they made was removing some of the lamps in the overhead lights so that the school wasted less energy.

CV² also wants to make recycling more obvious, however, the club thinks it will take some time. “We had our first meeting (last) week, so it’s going to take some time for us to get ready and be able to start making changes,” Dallman said. “But I’m glad to hear that a group of Ms. Malson’s students is taking the initiative and helping to re-educate our school.”

Malson also is looking forward to making a difference with her class.

“Recycling is an issue here at our school and I’m glad my kids want to do something about it,” Malson said.

Things that we can recycle:

• Biowaste
• Papers/Cardboards
• Plastics
• Metals
• Glass
• Cartons