Coffee Cup Diversion/ Green BinsDec 19/16
This idea came to us from one of our longest standing ECOS members, who brought it up during one of our meetings. Contrary to popular belief, coffee cups are actually compostable and do not go in the blue bin. The lid goes in the blue bin, but the cup itself can be composted. Since many of our teachers do not have green bins in their classrooms, we began brainstorming ideas of how to take the coffee cups away from the blue bin, without forcing teachers to have green bins in their rooms. After many meeting with Mr. Bernardi, Mr. Gaynik, Sally from the Solid Waste Management Department, and Kayla the Environmental Systems Coordinator, we finally had a plan. Our first plan was to create custom bins with one side for cups and the other for lids, but soon realized that due to fire codes we were unable to have the bins free standing. Eventually, we came up with a new plan. To mount bins similar to the existing garbage and recycling bins, to the wall alongside those already there. We would get a few more garbage bins and have them painted green to signify that they are compost, place them beside the existing recycling bins and place a sign above regarding coffee cup and lid disposal. For now, we are just putting one or two on each floor as a test, but eventually we are hoping that it will work out well enough to have more of them installed. The custodians have been very cooperative in agreeing to pick up the compost in the main areas each day as they would the garbage and recycling. We are currently in the process of getting the bins and are well on our way to diverting the coffee cups and composting! |
TerracycleDec. 20/16
A great idea that was presented to us was the implementation of TerraCycle bins within our school. All we had to do was pick which category we wished to recycle (unwanted office and art supplies) and order them, or so we thought. Each bin, to our surprise, was a little over $100. This meant that if we wanted to have these in our school, ECOS needed to come up with $500. Mr. Gaynik found an application for a grant up to $500, which was exactly what we needed. We applied for it and just a few short days later, our funding for TerraCycle bins was approved. Ordering them was the next step. We ordered three office supply bins and one art supply bin. Having these bins placed in our school for student and staff use meant that our school would be reducing their garbage. When these TerraCycle bins are full, we will be able to send them back to the company and have the materials properly and sustainably recycled. "Explain to future generations that it was good for the economy when they can't farm the land, breathe the air, or drink the water." |
International Attention
Nov. 15/16
We were spontaniously invited to present our project to approximately ten School Board members visiting Nantyr from the Netherlands. This was extremley exciting for us, because it meant that our project was getting some sort of International attention. We were not prepared to present, but once we began, we had a lot to express. We spoke of the goals we have and the ones we had completed at that point in time (a few meetings and the school yard clean up). They were very intrigued with everything we had to say. They asked questions like how we got involved with a project like this and why it was so important to us, questions we were happy to answer. About two days after our presentation, our Principal, Mr. Bernardi, called us to his office to discuss the meeting with the Netherlands' Board members. He then informed us that our project and ideas would be brought to Michael Fullan (Canadian Educational Researcher and former Dean for the Ontario Institute for studies in education), an amazing opportunity for our voice to be heard. We hope to set up a skype meeting with Mr. Bernardi and the International Board member to further discuss the success of this project and to help them implement similar ideas at their schools in the Netherlands.
We were spontaniously invited to present our project to approximately ten School Board members visiting Nantyr from the Netherlands. This was extremley exciting for us, because it meant that our project was getting some sort of International attention. We were not prepared to present, but once we began, we had a lot to express. We spoke of the goals we have and the ones we had completed at that point in time (a few meetings and the school yard clean up). They were very intrigued with everything we had to say. They asked questions like how we got involved with a project like this and why it was so important to us, questions we were happy to answer. About two days after our presentation, our Principal, Mr. Bernardi, called us to his office to discuss the meeting with the Netherlands' Board members. He then informed us that our project and ideas would be brought to Michael Fullan (Canadian Educational Researcher and former Dean for the Ontario Institute for studies in education), an amazing opportunity for our voice to be heard. We hope to set up a skype meeting with Mr. Bernardi and the International Board member to further discuss the success of this project and to help them implement similar ideas at their schools in the Netherlands.
Recycling
Every Friday
Our ECOS members have been dedicated to recycling collections since school started. Every Friday morning, an anouncement is made to remind teachers to have a student in their first period class bring down their recycling. As a team, we sort through the class bins to make sure all items are where they need to be. For example, that all coffee cups are removed from recycling bins and placed in the compost bin instead, lids removed. Liquids are also emptied from blue bin items and disposed of after we have cleaned everything up. We gather all blue bin items in one set of bags, all grey bin items in a seperate set of bags, and all green bin items in biodegradable bags and take them outside to their approbriate bins for pick up. Just another measure we take in order to keep Nantyr as green as possible.
Our ECOS members have been dedicated to recycling collections since school started. Every Friday morning, an anouncement is made to remind teachers to have a student in their first period class bring down their recycling. As a team, we sort through the class bins to make sure all items are where they need to be. For example, that all coffee cups are removed from recycling bins and placed in the compost bin instead, lids removed. Liquids are also emptied from blue bin items and disposed of after we have cleaned everything up. We gather all blue bin items in one set of bags, all grey bin items in a seperate set of bags, and all green bin items in biodegradable bags and take them outside to their approbriate bins for pick up. Just another measure we take in order to keep Nantyr as green as possible.
The Importance
The environment has always been an important aspect of my life. I care about it and try my best to change my everyday actions in life to benefit our environment. I believe that we are all connected and that everything we do somehow has an impact on our environment, so it would make sense that we try our best to improve it. However, not all residents of the earth have the same beliefs as I do. If I can, I try to change certain people’s thoughts and actions towards our environment, even if it is just a single family member or friend. The environmental issues that we have created today will not change in the future unless people unite to try and change their actions in order to do so. There are many that believe that they cannot make an impact because they are just one person, it is and has been my goal for a long period of time to change this state of mind and perspective. This project is a perfect starting point for me to learn about what it takes to create social change and actually start putting my plans into action. -Maegan Damianakis
I have always loved being outdoors. I grew up near the lake so swimming and biking was always a large part of my childhood. As I got older, I never stopped loving nature. I began to realize how badly we as the human race have damaged it, and that if we don't begin to take action, we will have done irreversible damage. When I became a part of the church, I realized how amazing it is that our God created all of this beauty and that we need to just take time and admire it. This is when I really started talking to people about it. Whether it be to my pastors, my parents, my friends or just people, I have a passion for the environment and strongly believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to experience it's beauty. My goal is to help people realize what they are compromising when they throw that bottle on the side of the road or dump those chemicals in the lake. I want them to understand that this earth was created for us and all we are doing is destroying it. This project was such an eye opener for me because it has given me so many opportunities to speak to people and get different ideas on how to make a difference. I'm excited to see the impact we are making and where those who follow in our footsteps take it. -Kenzie Junkins