Recycling part of culture at Bartlett school

At Bartlett’s Liberty Elementary School, recycling isn’t just a passing fad. It’s a way of life.

During lunch, students dispose of their leftover food before sorting their packaging into various bins for cookie wrappers, drink pouches, potato chip bags and other items.

If they forget, the lunchroom staff reminds them.

This has been the culture at Liberty since art teacher Heather Lass started the TerraCycle program at the school.

TerraCycle accepts hard-to-recycle objects like used glue sticks and mp3 players and recycles them into products such as clipboards and tote bags that they sell online or through national retailers.

Large recyclers, like schools, can open an account on TerraCycle’s website and track their progress, earning 2 cents for every item they send in. So far, students at Liberty have collected more than 20,000 items, earning more than $500 for the school.

Staff at the school said the TerraCycle program is an interactive and easy way to teach kids about the importance of recycling. At a recent lunch period, it was clear that students got the message.

“It’s important to recycle so we don’t waste stuff and we don’t cut down trees,” said Kennedi Gavin, a second-grader.

Lunchroom staff is on hand to remind students to recycle in case they forget and to help them put items into the appropriate bin.

“These kids speak 40 different languages,” said head lunchroom supervisor Judy Wagner. “There’s not even one common language, and they do it. If these kids can do it, it’s universal.”

The school expects to receive the money in the summer.

“We’ll ask the kids, ‘What do we do with this money?’” Lass said. “It will go back toward the school, something that should benefit all kids.”

Lass’ principal, Steve Burger, applauded her for getting everyone at Liberty — from custodians to parents — on board with the effort.

“That little bit of spark by a teacher makes a huge difference,” Burger said.

To find out more about TerraCycle, visit terracycle.net.