School Recycling

Be Blue, Think Green

Culver City High School Centaurs have taken a proactive approach towards reducing the amount of trash headed towards the landfill.

This year in September when school got into full swing the Student Council embarked on developing a strong Recycling Program. “Be Blue, Think Green” is the brain child of Anniya Louis and Emily Gerger with help from Carlos Valverde, Student Council Advisor and the support of Pam Magee, Principal.

The recycling duo Louis and Gerger coordinated with Culver City Unified School Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Department, several interested teachers and the Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations to implement a recycling program on campus that will reduce trash waste. With ever increasing fees for trash disposal at stake, the new program will not only reduce trash but also save the school money. According to Ron Hacker, Director of Food Services, the high school and middle school lunch crowd contribute approximately 1,500-2,000 cans and bottles and other untold quantities of recyclables weekly.

“Be Blue, Think Green” is an effort to be greener, Louis and Gerger plan to place decorated boxes in classrooms, one for bottles, and the other for paper. Publicity and marketing of the program to fellow students is vital because the success of it relies upon the students themselves to dispose of the waste properly. Posters and public service announcements are planned through out the year. As the year progresses there may be glitches in maintaining the program, but everyone involved is committed to making it a success.

To encourage recycling, California currently requires cities to divert fifty percent of trash away from the landfill or face stiff penalties. Culver City has consistently had a divergence rate higher than the minimum percentage required, but there is always room for improvement.

For more information on how your school can go green, call Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations 310.253.6411.