SolidWaste Reduction
School-wide Recycling
Recycling and Reusing materials is part of the culture at Commodore John Rodgers. Walk into every classroom and you will see recycling bins, full of single-stream recycling materials that belong within each bin. You will also see nearly every student using reused writing journals and reclaimed pencils that have been passed down from year to year. In 2016- 2018, various student groups are in charge of collection, these groups include students in grade levels 5th-8th. Yet, the education of why recycling and reusing are important can be found in every grade level from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th.
Anti-Styrofoam Tray Rally at City Hall
BAN STYROFOAM TRAYS rally in Annapolis
On February 8, 2017, members of the Green Team rode on a bus with other environmentally conscious students to the Annapolis State House to protest the use of styrofoam trays for school lunches. The team created "protest signs" in the form of styrofoam trays, which were letters to their local senators, which outlined why the continuance of reliance of styrofoam trays for school lunches is toxic to the local environment. Pictures are below.
The student recycling team began in 2009. It is an ongoing program. At first we used cardboard boxes decorated with green butcher block paper as our recycling bins. In 2011, the team was able to secure a grant to buy each classroom and office at Commodore a recycling container. Once a week, 4th to 7th grade students on the Green Team work with community volunteers to collect the recycling materials from around the school. Students collect the recycling from each classroom and put it into larger containers to be moved outside for pick up. The 20 students who work on the Green Team carefully check the recycling to ensure only recyclable materials are being collected. Students and community volunteers move the recycling to the front of the school for pick up. One an average week we recycle nine 30-gallon recycling cans, one 64-gallon can and 100 cardboard boxes. These students are helping to dramatically reduce waste that is leaving our school and heading for the dump. They're passionate about what they do!
Action # 2: Green Team Creates Recycling Public Service Announcement
Eight of the student recyclers, in 5th and 6th grade, created this public service announcement in order to excite staff, students and community members about their actions. They wanted to remind the community of what can be recycled to increase the amount of materials that we recycle at Commodore and in the community. Additionally they wanted to emphasize the importance of reusing materials to reduce waste. Students were able to present this video to the Commodore staff, students and families, the Baltimore City Council and the School board.
Art using Recycled Materials
During the 2012-2013 school year, students 5th to 8th grade students initiated and joined an art recycling club . They meet weekly on Thursdays after school. During the 2012-2013 school year, there were 9 students involved. During the 2013-2014 school year there were 4 students involved. The students created robots and this beautiful mural using recycled materials. Art club continues to re-purpose other objects with their projects. They work to come up with new uses for old materials. It's incredible to see the materials that were waste getting reused in ways to make the school more beautiful.
Recycling Center Field Trip
Funded by the Green, Healthy, Smart Challenge grant (see awards), student take trips to a recycling center. During the spring of 2013, current 6th and 7th grade students from the Green Team and some of their classmates went on a field trip to the Prince Georges County Recycling Center. They wanted to see what happened to their recycling that they collected around the school each week. They were able to see how first hand what is recyclable, how waste is sorted, and why it's important only to recycle things that really are recyclable. This school year on May 21, 30 more students from the current 4th and 5th grades will attend this trip. This is one of the ways that the current 6th and 7th grade students who have been involved with the recycling team for several years are helping to pass their knowledge and experiences on to younger students. They want to make sure that when they leave middle school, there are new leaders who are excited to continue the Green efforts.
Reusing cartons and bottles as planters for Native plants
A 3rd grade girls advisory with 8 students, reused juice cartons and soda bottles that were common recyclables in their homes as planters. The girls cut down the bottles to an appropriate height and filled them with soil. Students planted native plants that will be moved into the school gardens when the weather gets warmer. This action is also linked on the Structures for Environmental Learning page.