Junior high students pitch in for recycling effort

By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent

Wellington eighth graders Ashley Willson, Cadie Ollila and Kacey Rohloff recently found themselves in search of an honors science project. They discovered a national competition that piqued their interest, one that challenged students to use math, science and technology to solve some community problem. They even had a problem in mind: getting rid of waste through recycling.

Unfortunately, the deadline for the contest had passed, but science teacher Vicky Jordan said, "Don't let that stop you, if you really want to do it." And they didn't.

Their minds had been primed to consider recycling from several school events, especially a visit to Wellington's new wastewater treatment plant and a heavy classroom dose of studying nature's way of recycling its various elements. They also observed that Wellingtonians sometimes failed to recycle things they should--like empty pop cans--because it's not always convenient. Could they do something to help solve that community problem --perhaps by setting out recycling containers?

They considered starting from scratch, enlisting local businesses to help purchase containers and so forth, but maybe they didn't need to. Rohloff got on the phone to Gallegos Sanitation, which already provides curbside recycling for residents. Rohloff, Willson and Ollila immediately found an ally in the form of general manager Mark Glorioso.

"I enjoy working with kids," said Glorioso, "and this project seemed like a win-win situation for everyone." Glorioso has agreed to provide containers for the project and make at least 10 to 15 pickups per week for free.

The students still have plenty to do. They have to paint and clearly label the containers to indicate what kind of waste will be accepted. At this time, they will concentrate on aluminum, steel and plastic containers--what Glorioso describes as "co-mingled recycling." Students will also be responsible for policing the containers and making sure they are used as intended.

They plan to speak to all businesses that sell or use such recyclable products to see if they would host a container at their place of business. Similarly, churches may be able to make use of recycling bins during special events and meetings.

Rohloff is already looking toward the future. She has contacts in the local 4-H club, which may be willing to take over the project during the summer and beyond.

"If this starts to take off, we'd certainly be open to discussing an expansion of the free service," Glorioso said.

When asked what it would be like to see their project in place on the streets of Wellington, Ollila said, "It will make us feel good--like we are really helping the community."

Within the next month or so, these "take charge" students will have done the hard part. All residents need to do is pitch in and help.