Upper Arlington Schools is partnering with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio to pilot a districtwide school recycling program, with the goal of it becoming a model for other school districts in the Columbus area.
“Having a consistent program, preK-12, provides a platform for students to learn and carry through their educational experience in Upper Arlington,” said Chris Potts, chief operating officer of the Upper Arlington Schools. “It also provides opportunities for our students to teach each other and be mentors.
In preparation for the launch of the program, a team of students and staff members, including custodians and teachers, known as the District Recycling Champions Committee has come together to help the district identify what has worked and what hasn’t worked with current or past recycling initiatives in individual school buildings. This will help Upper Arlington Schools and SWACO identify how to successfully implement and communicate a consistent district-wide program, likely sometime in 2023.
Potts sees the program as an opportunity for students to expand their learning.
“Education is at the core of everything we do,” Potts said. “Teaching about how to protect the environment, preserve natural resources and reduce landfill waste creates a hands-on lesson and raises broader community awareness.”