Obj. 2.3 Solid Waste Reduction
Student Driven initiatives:
#1 - Increased Recycling
Students in Centennial's Green Club became concerned custodians might not be separating recycling from other trash when cleaning the teacher classrooms at the end of the day. The students decided to help out the custodians and empty the classroom recycling bins for them on two days a week after school and one day a week during school hours.
16 students worked together to bring more awareness to recycling at Centennial . Students found that recycling efforts in the cafeteria and at after school events were minimal. In the 2018-2019 school year, students volunteered to monitor winter sports events and encourage spectators to place recycables in the appropriate container. Additionally, students created signs and made video announcements to bring awareness about recycling.
Students in Centennial's Green Club became concerned custodians might not be separating recycling from other trash when cleaning the teacher classrooms at the end of the day. The students decided to help out the custodians and empty the classroom recycling bins for them on two days a week after school and one day a week during school hours.
16 students worked together to bring more awareness to recycling at Centennial . Students found that recycling efforts in the cafeteria and at after school events were minimal. In the 2018-2019 school year, students volunteered to monitor winter sports events and encourage spectators to place recycables in the appropriate container. Additionally, students created signs and made video announcements to bring awareness about recycling.
#2 - Reducing waste by composting
Several Centennial students have taken an interest in composting as a strategy to reduce waste. On June 16, 2018, Zainab S. attended a Backyard Composting event at the University of Maryland Extension. She shared that the instructor discussed the basics of composting. "Compost can be created using food waste, dead matter from outside, and even paper scraps. You also need water and air for the process. Mixing the compost can speed up the process. It breaks down to create a dark, crumbly matter that can be used as fertilizer. Howard County wants to promote composting so they were also providing compost bins for county residents."
During the 2018-19 school year, students in the Family and Consumer Science classes have been composting their food waste in a bin inside the classroom. The bin is located in a convenient place between the trash and recycling containers. Student Stacy L., takes the bin home on a regular basis to place in her family's composter which creates nutrient rich material for her garden.
Several Centennial students have taken an interest in composting as a strategy to reduce waste. On June 16, 2018, Zainab S. attended a Backyard Composting event at the University of Maryland Extension. She shared that the instructor discussed the basics of composting. "Compost can be created using food waste, dead matter from outside, and even paper scraps. You also need water and air for the process. Mixing the compost can speed up the process. It breaks down to create a dark, crumbly matter that can be used as fertilizer. Howard County wants to promote composting so they were also providing compost bins for county residents."
During the 2018-19 school year, students in the Family and Consumer Science classes have been composting their food waste in a bin inside the classroom. The bin is located in a convenient place between the trash and recycling containers. Student Stacy L., takes the bin home on a regular basis to place in her family's composter which creates nutrient rich material for her garden.
#3 - Reducing Paper Usage at School
During the 2018-2019 school year, a group of students surveyed teachers about their paper usage. They used the results of the survey to compile a list of strategies for teachers to use less paper. Strategies included online quizzes, class sets of tests and other handouts to be year to year, printing double-sided or on half sheets of paper. After their suggestions were sent to teachers, a post-survey was conducted. Mrs. Jacobsen, an English teacher at Centennial stated that she thought about what the students were concerned with and decided to make booklets with the copying machine for the packet she was distributing that week. The booklet format uses 1/2 as much paper as a traditional packet.
During the 2018-2019 school year, a group of students surveyed teachers about their paper usage. They used the results of the survey to compile a list of strategies for teachers to use less paper. Strategies included online quizzes, class sets of tests and other handouts to be year to year, printing double-sided or on half sheets of paper. After their suggestions were sent to teachers, a post-survey was conducted. Mrs. Jacobsen, an English teacher at Centennial stated that she thought about what the students were concerned with and decided to make booklets with the copying machine for the packet she was distributing that week. The booklet format uses 1/2 as much paper as a traditional packet.
#4 Reducing Single-use Plastic
12 students worked over 2 school years (2017-18 and 2018-19) to bring awareness about the effects of plastic waste on the environment and promote the use of refillable water bottles. Students created art from plastic and displayed the creation in the school's media center. The purpose of the art was to encourage conversations about plastic waste and it's impact on marine life. Additionally, students created signage to encourage the use of reusable water bottles. Centennial reusable water bottles were sold throughout the school year and at events such as Know Your Planet Night. Students sold the water bottles in order to minimize waste from disposable plastic bottles and to raise money for Green School Efforts. These water bottles can be easily refilled at one of the four bottle filling machines at Centennial High School.
12 students worked over 2 school years (2017-18 and 2018-19) to bring awareness about the effects of plastic waste on the environment and promote the use of refillable water bottles. Students created art from plastic and displayed the creation in the school's media center. The purpose of the art was to encourage conversations about plastic waste and it's impact on marine life. Additionally, students created signage to encourage the use of reusable water bottles. Centennial reusable water bottles were sold throughout the school year and at events such as Know Your Planet Night. Students sold the water bottles in order to minimize waste from disposable plastic bottles and to raise money for Green School Efforts. These water bottles can be easily refilled at one of the four bottle filling machines at Centennial High School.