Recycling at RCHS?

Copyright Red Cloud Indian School

Recycling at RCHS?

By Jen Brave Heart ‘14

Let’s go green!

RCHS started recycling a few years ago but stopped doing so these past few years. Unfortunately, large amounts of paper and aluminum cans are being now being disposed of when they can be recycled.

One student here at RCHS sells Peace Teas, Poptarts, and other variations of candy straight from his locker. Our students, and a few teachers, stop by his locker to buy snacks, candy, or drinks during passing periods or during the lunch hour. With his profiting idea being a success and the conveniency of having the products here at school, the students are satisfied with the idea.

However, whenever our students are finished with their Peace Teas, or any other drink in general, there are always huge amounts of aluminum cans being thrown away. If we had the convenience of recycling bins designated for specific items, this would be a lot more helpful and safe for our environment. Here at RCHS, paper and aluminum cans are the most disposed of products among all the rest. Plastic bottles haven’t really been a big deal but they are still being thrown away throughout campus.

Although the paper situation is a big deal, our teachers still try their best to conserve the paper they use. For example, when our teachers use one-sided paper they recycle it by using the other side. 

To Recycle or Not?

By Rhiannon White Eyes ‘14

Recycling is important in the modern world today. By recycling, people save money and save the environment. There are also a lot of good outcomes of recycling.

Recycling should be used everywhere and by everywhere I mean in schools. One question that is frequently asked is “Should there be recycling in schools?” In my opinion I would say yes. There are so many opportunities in school where students and staff can recycle. Look at all the paper and cans that can be recycled for a good purpose. There is so much paper being wasted at the moment in various different schools who don’t recycle. All that paper sitting in trash cans, laying on the ground, taking up space in your locker. Yes, all that paper can be recycled.

By recycling you are doing a good thing for the environment and for yourself. People may think recycling isn’t necessary. Well, in my opinion yes it is. Look at all this excess trash including papers, plastic, and cans sitting around waiting to be recycled. According to Green Waste, “The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years.” http://www.greenwaste.com/recycling-stats  That is why we should recycle what ever we can.

Some people argue that recycling is a big hassle because they say it costs more to recycle than to not recycle. If you look at it from a positive point of view no matter the cost to recycle, you're still saving money. You're saving the pollution from air and you're saving the environment. Besides, where would all the trash and excess paper go if recycling wasn’t in the big picture? Trash builds up more and more each day, and each day one more person starts to recycle.

Another one thing is that recycling would save the schools money and they would save on their budget.

“Recycling should be in all schools,” stated Kirkland Ross. 

“Recycling should be in school, because it would save profits and it is good for the environment,” said senior Jennifer Brave Heart.