So, it's the first post on the new blog! I just love things like that: first posts, first pages in notebooks, first pages of books... It's just so fresh and clean. And that's what we're trying to do. Be fresh and clean. Fresh, as in new, not as in mouthing off to your parents. And clean as in environmentally friendly. New ways to be sustainable, to reduce litter, save energy, conserve resources, cut carbon emissions, and overall live in harmony with the Earth.
This week is the third meeting of the club, and already we're working on a ton of things. We meet Friday's after school (3:20) in Ms. Francis's room (341). Anyone is invited to come, whether teacher, student, staff member... whoever. And even if you can't make Fridays, just shoot me an e-mail and I'll add you to the e-mail group. Fridays are mostly for planning and shooting ideas around. The real work takes place every day, at home, during school, and around the community. We take the ideas we talk about on Fridays and bring them out into the world the next week. To keep us all on track, we send out minutes (or, really, just a short summary) of whatever we talked about/took place on Friday, and follow up with the people who volunteered to get something done via e-mail.
Currently, we're working on trying to make metal recycling more available to students in the building. Since we now have Snapple vending machines all over, there's cans all over. Students technically aren't supposed to have these cans anywhere but the cafeteria. Of course, we all know they drink them other places, too, as evidenced by the multitude of squished cans in the stairwell. And that's where the dilemma takes place. Where can we put extra recycling cans, both paper and metal, as well as garbage cans in the building that will make it easier for someone to just chuck the can in the recycling bin? There're not allowed in the classrooms, nor in the stairwells, so what about the hallways? Next to the water fountains seems like an excellent idea! All we need now? Extra bins!
The real solution, of course, would be not to buy cans or water bottles at all. We highly encourage everyone to bring their own drink to school in a reusable bottle. If you replace the daily water bottle you drink with a single reusable bottle from home, just think about all the waste you could eliminate!
After this, we're hoping to have a plastic bag drive. All those plastic bags you take at the grocery store and when you go shopping? They're terrible! Toxic, poisonous, an eyesore, and overall waste! Plus, what do you do with all those plastic bags once you unload your packages? Some people use them to bring lunch to school, others use them as doggy poop bags, but really, how many bags does one need? So, starting soon, we'll be collecting all those extra bags you have lying around your house and ship them off to be recycled!
The real solution, of course, would be to bring your own bag (BYOB) when you go to the store. Just a simple "No bag, please," to the cashier and a stuffing of the purchased items into your own bags would help reduce the amount of plastic bag waste by a ton! Most supermarkets sell reusable bags in their stores that you can bring back every time. For each bag you bring back, you even get a discount! Need even more incentive? CSI is selling canvas bags for five dollars each in the office and at every big event. Featuring beautiful artwork of our schools' mascot drawn by CSI's own Elizabeth Che, as well as "CSIHSIS Goes Green!" (Sorry, McCown, you guys weren't in existence yet when these were ordered), these bags are the perfect way to save money, save the environment, and show a little school spirit! All profits go back to the Environmental Club to cover any expenses for any future projects!
I hope that this is the start of a great community effort to encourage everyone to really try their hardest to reduce their own waste and make strides to improving the condition of our lovely Earth! See everyone Friday!
