Schools Need to Collect Paper at Some Level on a Consistent Basis!
Benjie Bowlin*
These days, the recycling of different items by public and private sectors is looked upon favorably and is not uncommon. Paper and related items have been high on the list of recyclables for a number of years now.
For schools not currently involved in gathering paper or for those looking for a different collection procedure, consider the way it is done at Independence High School in Independence, MS. Paper collection on campus is the responsibility of the IHS Science Club. Since I became club sponsor seven years ago, the club has been involved in an active paper collecting program. This does take the involvement of the faculty and staff, but the vast majority of the work (gathering the paper, bringing it to one location, and getting it loaded to be taken off campus) is done by club members and me. Establishing a consistent routine that the whole school is aware of ensures everyone is "pulling in the same direction."
Before the Science Club began its paper drive seven years ago, there was no organized school wide paper saving effort. At that time, I had an idea for the Science Club--- paper gathering should be an activity lasting the school year, not just a one time event. The club and I just "started from scratch" the first year (regarding logistics and how to accomplish our goals). It’s been an evolving process, but we have settled on a successful formula that all seem comfortable with.
Our high school has an enrollment of 400 with a total faculty and staff of approximately 40 (grades 9-12). Each teacher/staff member is responsible for paper items in his/her area. Most have a designated box (the box that copy machine paper comes in is great) where paper to be recycled is stored until collection day. This size box is usually adequate; however, teachers that accumulate more than an average amount of paper use larger plastic storage containers.
I am a subject area teacher and have my own classroom. Paper items at school are brought to my room once every two weeks (every second Friday), unless the school schedule dictates otherwise. Twice a month collection is frequent enough and has worked well for everyone. Often, after two weeks, plenty of boxes in rooms are full, and this is a manageable amount for a pickup truck. Gathering paper once a month would lead to problems---boxes would be overflowing, and it would be an unreasonable amount of paper brought to my room to deal with that day. The paper items are taken to a paper recycle dumpster or trailer away from campus since our school does not have one.
At the beginning of each school year, the Science Club membership gets finalized, and there are usually about 30 members. Early in the school year, each club member selects the faculty or staff member he or she wants to be responsible for on collection day. Since there are slightly more boxes on campus than club members, some members collect for two teachers. Once the list is complete, the club member and faculty/staff member select a convenient time to get the paper box on collection day.
An Excel spreadsheet is posted in my classroom with member's names by columns for each scheduled pickup day for a semester. Club members put a checkmark in each column box to indicate that he/she went by to ask for paper. Some days, a faculty or staff member may not have any paper. The spreadsheet posted in my room allows me to monitor the member's pickup responsibilities. Additionally, a spreadsheet placed in the faculty lounge is used to keep teachers informed on when pickup days are and on club member/faculty pairings.
There is no set time for paper to be brought to my room on collection Fridays. Throughout the school day, club members come in with the collection boxes taken from rooms and areas in the school. Schedules vary, so pickups take place each period. When paper boxes are brought in my room during class time, the interruption is brief and has not been a problem.
Five large plastic storage containers with lids are in my room. Collection boxes are either emptied into one of these containers and then taken directly back to the appropriate faculty or staff member, or the box is left in my room. The boxes left in my room on collection Friday are returned to their proper location on Monday morning. When the containers are not in use, they can be stacked together to save space.
Being a classroom teacher, I have the responsibilities and duties of a typical full school day. So, dealing with the paper items brought in on collection day is often put on hold until after school that day. Yes, the area in the room where the paper is put on these days may get a little messy, but this is only a slight inconvenience and has not proven to be a problem. At the end of the school day, the five containers are put on my truck. If there is extra paper, garbage bags are used. If any non-paper items (drink cans, spiral notebook coils, paper clamps, ink pens, etc.) find their way into the boxes, they get removed.
Our Science Club's paper collecting effort is not a fund raiser even though it very well could be. There are paper recycle facilities in the area that pay for paper. Our collection is done strictly with conservation and concern for forests and trees in mind. It is no accident that there is no focus on money with this endeavor. This has been the policy since the Science Club began this activity. The emphasis is that collecting paper is a good thing to do---and it's also the right thing.
There are schools that already provide an effective way to funnel paper to a paper collection dumpster, trailer or facility. If a school already has a paper recycling routine in place that is working, they should continue as is "full speed ahead." But for schools just getting started, or for those already collecting paper who feel the need to change a bit, hopefully considering some things mentioned here will help.
* Benjie Bowlin has taught science at Independence High School in Independence, MS since 1992, and also serves as the IHS Science Club Sponsor. Formerly a coach, he began his education career in 1980. In 2009, Mr. Bowlin was named Tate County’s Teacher of the Year. For more information about his recycling efforts, contact Mr. Bowen at bowlin157@earthlink.net.
