Vision

At Kikendaasogamig Elementary School, we began an exciting journey toward environmental stewardship by launching a recycling program for the entire school. The ultimate goal was to significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, educate everyone in our school about the importance of recycling, waste management, and living a more sustainable life, and most importantly, empower students to take an active role in preserving our environment.

Action

Initial Steps:

The journey began with our class reaching out to the local Works Department to request recycling bins and related materials. The Works Department was very supportive and provided us with the necessary equipment to launch our recycling program. After receiving the bins, our class took responsibility for setting up the recycling system around the school. We ensured that the bins were clearly marked with instructions to guide everyone on how to recycle correctly. To track our progress and understand how much waste we were diverting from the landfill, we also designed and built a weigh station where we could measure the school’s total waste before and after the program was put into place. This gave us clear, measurable data on how well we were doing and helped us identify areas that needed improvement.

Understanding the Impact of Recycling:

As we tracked the waste, we realized that by diverting waste from landfills, we were not just helping our school but contributing to the conservation of natural resources. Recycling reduces the need to extract raw materials, which helps conserve valuable resources such as water, trees, and minerals. This is especially important in reducing the environmental damage caused by mining and deforestation. By reducing the demand for raw materials, we are also lowering the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and processing new products. Through our recycling program, we realized the importance of shifting to a circular economy, where materials are reused, reducing the strain on the environment.

Addressing Contamination:

As with any new initiative, our recycling program encountered some challenges. Early on, we noticed that some classes were placing non-recyclable materials into the recycling bins. This contamination can cause an entire batch of recyclables to be discarded, often sending materials to landfills or incineration. One of the biggest challenges in recycling is poor recycling quality due to a lack of education and awareness. While most people know that recycling is a good habit, many are unsure about what can and cannot be recycled.
To address this challenge, our class decided to take a hands-on approach. We visited the classrooms where contamination was occurring and modeled what proper recycling looks like. We explained the differences between recyclable and non-recyclable items, showing the students how the bins should be used. Our students took the lead, becoming role models for their peers, and we provided clear, simple examples of what belongs in the recycling bins. This peer teaching approach worked very well and helped to significantly improve the overall quality of our recycling efforts.

Tackling Food Waste:

While sorting recyclables, we discovered another major problem: a large amount of food waste was being thrown away each day. Food waste is a significant issue in schools and many other communities, as it not only takes up valuable space in landfills but also contributes to methane emissions as food breaks down anaerobically. We realized that food waste was an area we could make a meaningful impact on.
Taking action, our students contacted the town and requested a Food Cycler to be trialed in our classroom. The Food Cycler is a machine that helps break down food scraps, turning them into compost or nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to improve the school grounds. By doing so, we reduced the amount of organic waste sent to the landfill. This innovative tool made a huge difference in how we thought about our food waste. It helped us become more conscious of our consumption habits and made us more aware of the environmental impact of wasting food. Additionally, by reducing food waste, we are contributing to lowering methane gas emissions from decomposing food in landfills—an important action in the fight against climate change.

Addressing Paper Waste:

As our program grew, we made another important discovery: there was an overwhelming amount of paper waste being generated at school. Unfortunately, our community did not have a paper recycling program in place, which meant that all paper waste was being sent to the landfill. We realized that this was an area where we could also make a difference.
Rather than accept this limitation, our class took the initiative once again. We contacted the Works Department to inquire about starting a paper recycling program in the community. We offered our help and support to explore possible solutions for creating a program that would include paper recycling. We are now in the process of planning a meeting with the Works Department to discuss potential steps to begin a paper recycling program in our community. We hope that by leading by example, we can encourage other schools and local businesses to take part in this important initiative.

Transitioning to Digital Learning:

In the meantime, our class has been actively working to reduce paper usage. One of the main ways we’ve been doing this is by transitioning to digital platforms in the classroom. By using computers for assignments, research, and communication, we are reducing our reliance on paper. This transition has allowed us to learn about the benefits of a paperless environment. Not only does this save trees, but it also reduces the energy and water used in the production of paper. The shift towards digital learning also helps us prepare for future learning and working environments, which are increasingly based on technology. This shift is not just a practical step for sustainability but also an important part of preparing us for the digital future ahead.

Community Clean-Up:

As part of our broader school-wide effort, we also organized a community clean-up event. Students and teachers joined forces to pick up litter from the streets, ditches, and school property. This hands-on experience allowed students to take pride in their community and see the direct impact of their actions. It also taught us valuable lessons in teamwork, responsibility, and community engagement. The clean-up was a huge success and fostered a sense of ownership and pride in keeping our environment clean. It also provided an opportunity for us to reflect on how individual actions can contribute to broader environmental change.

Economic Challenges and Market Demand for Recycled Materials:

While our recycling program made significant strides, we also learned about the broader challenges in the recycling industry. One of the key issues we discovered was the low market demand for recycled materials. Even when we recycle correctly, sometimes the materials do not get reused because the economic value of these materials is too low. This is a larger issue that affects recycling programs everywhere, not just in our community.
The lack of market demand for recycled materials can make it difficult for local recycling programs to sustain themselves. This is because recycled materials, such as plastics, paper, and metals, often need to be processed and cleaned before they can be used again, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, the price of recycled materials can fluctuate based on global market trends, making it harder to rely on recycling as a stable and sustainable solution.

We are learning about the importance of improving the quality of recyclables and supporting local industries that use recycled materials. One solution is to improve the recycling infrastructure and develop partnerships with local businesses that can use the recycled materials. Another option is to support policies that incentivize recycling and the use of recycled materials in manufacturing. These are complex issues, but by learning about them and raising awareness, we hope to contribute to finding solutions.

The Educational Value of Sustainability Projects:

Implementing sustainability projects like ours in schools offers a practical and impactful way for students to learn about the environment. By engaging with real-world issues, students gain a deeper understanding of sustainability, waste management, and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Through our program, we have learned that recycling is not just about separating waste but also about changing our mindset and adopting more sustainable habits. It’s about making informed decisions and taking responsibility for our impact on the planet.
Our recycling project has empowered students to take action and has inspired others in the community to do the same. It has shown us that we don’t have to wait for adults or government agencies to make changes—we can make a difference right now, in our own school, and in our own community. Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it’s a way of life that we are learning to incorporate into our daily routines.

Next Steps and Future Goals:

As we continue to improve our recycling efforts within the school, we have several next steps in mind. We aim to expand our outreach beyond the school, focusing on promoting greater community involvement. We want to improve local recycling infrastructure, particularly when it comes to handling paper and other materials that are not currently being recycled. Our next goal is to establish a local paper recycling program, which would allow us to recycle paper more efficiently and reduce the amount of paper waste sent to landfills.
We also plan to host workshops and collaborate with local organizations to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and sustainability. We hope to encourage other schools, businesses, and community members to adopt similar recycling programs and sustainability practices. Through these efforts, we hope to build a community that is more mindful of its environmental impact and works together to create a cleaner, greener future for everyone.

Reflection & Celebration

Conclusion:

We understand that recycling is only one part of a larger goal. Our ultimate aim is to create a culture of sustainability at Kikendaasogamig Elementary School. Through education, action, and community involvement, we hope to build a future where reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and protecting the environment become part of our everyday lives. This project has taught us valuable lessons about problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and perseverance. Our class is proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and we are excited to continue working toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for Kikendaasogamig Elementary School and beyond.