Lace Kids Make a Difference through Recycling Program

Two good things come out of weekly recycling program: The earth stays a little greener and students get a little financial help for the school’s outdoor education trip. 

Every Tuesday morning, parent coordinator Kari Wagner, with the support of Lace fifth-grade teacher Bob Johnson, collect old batteries, cans, plastic bags and ink cartridges as kids arrive at school.

“The experienced gain by the children is that they one know that they can make a difference and, second, that they have a better understanding of how and why we need to recycle,” Johnson said.

Annually, the program collects about 35-40 bags of cans, 100-120 pounds of batteries, four to five paper boxes of can tabs, 75-100 printer cartridges and 100-130 toner cartridges, Johnson said.

The kids get something out of it, too — all the money raised from recycling aluminum goes toward the fifth-grade outdoor education trip to Camp Timber-lee.

Each year, the program raises about $150, which is enough to pay one student’s way to Camp Timber-lee.

“Then they learn more about the planet,” Wagner said. “It goes hand in hand.”

Wagner took over the reins of the recycling program from another mother about four years ago when Fairview Elementary School closed.

The students get really into the program, excitedly hauling bags full of recyclables to school, she said. 

Wagner shares that excitement as she sees the cans, batteries and cartridges coming in.

“If I can teach kids how important recycling is, that’s what I get out of it,” Wagner said. “That they learn they need to take care of the planet.”