Recycling at Chariho

By: Isabelle Sullivan-Rackliff

When talking about recycling there are three important questions to address:

1. What is recycling?

2. Why do we need to recycle?

3. What do we recycle?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. First materials are collected in places like Chariho or your home. Then, the recyclables are sent to a facility to be sorted, cleaned, and processed. These recyclables can then be manufactured into many different items including paper towels, cereal boxes, glass containers, car bumpers, trash bags, and newspapers.

Recycling needs to be done because it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. When landfills have too much trash, some of it is disposed of in the ocean, destroying ecosystems. Incinerators are harmful to the environment because when materials are burned they release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Recycling also conserves natural resources, prevents pollution and deforestation by reducing the need to collect new raw materials, creates jobs, and saves energy.

What can be recycled:

• Paper

• Cardboard

• Green, brown, and clear glass bottles and jars

• Juice and milk cartons

• Plastic bottles

What cannot be recycled:

• Plastic bags

• Plastic wrap/film

• Packaging made from multiple materials

• Cups with wax or plastic coatings

• Styrofoam

At Chariho, there are recycling bins in every classroom. Please make sure to put the correct items in the recycling bin so the janitors do not have to sort through the materials. Additionally, there is a recycling bin in the cafeteria and in the CTC dining hall. Put them to good use! The environment will thank you!