No idling policy reduces air pollution, saves Hamilton Southeastern Schools money.
June '08 Featured Spotlight

After the dismissal bell rang at Fishers High School on Thursday, May 29, students poured from the back doors eager to get home. The low rumble of conversation could be heard, even a few birds chirping in the distance, but one thing was silent – the 50 buses parked outside. Read more...

Carmel High School, Carmel

Because Carmel High School students, faculty and staff increased the amount of paper they recycle, they will receive another piece of paper in return – a check for $400.

Maureen Borto, who teaches English at the school and is one of the faculty sponsors of the Recycling Club, said the school’s recycling effort increased by 20 percent this year compared to last, and that resulted in a $400 bonus from Abitibi Consolidated, the company that picks up and processes Carmel High’s material for recycling.

In January, February and March last year, the company picked up 9.05 tons of paper, magazines, newsprint, catalogs, envelopes, folders and other material. During the same three months this year, students, faculty and staff placed 12 tons of material into classroom recycling bins.

Borto said the $400 bonus will be used to increase and promote recycling efforts throughout the school so that glass and plastic can be included in future efforts.

“We are so excited about the increased effort of teachers and our Recylcing Club members to make this program a success and promote the awareness of the necessity of recycling to help our environment,” Borto said.

She said student members of the Recycling Club have placed recycling containers in every classroom and computer lab in the school, as well as in the media center and three cafeterias. Teachers empty their containers when needed. Twenty student volunteers pick up recycled materials from the public areas of the school and take them to a recycling bin located in a parking lot on the west side of the school. The public may use this container to recycle any paper except cardboard or phonebooks, Borto said.

Is your school already participating in green activities? We want to know about it. Please contact Lynelle Miller at lamiller@doe.in.gov to pass on your innovative classroom and project ideas as well as share photos.