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A recent story from the Washington Post provides a fascinating glimpse into how students decide what to keep and what to throw away on the last day of school. Some things were kept because of sentimental value, some were thrown away because they brought bad memories. Page after page of homework, notes, and quizzes were thrown into trashcans, while some of the binders were kept for use next year.
Orange peels and gum wrappers were thrown away, as were rulers, lunch boxes, notebooks, and more. Other things that might be viewed by adults as trash were lovingly saved and treasured. There appears to be some sort of method to the madness, but few of the student’s decisions were based on being sustainable or environmentally friendly. A dumpster service in D.C. found many items that could have been reused or recycled, saving parents money and helping to protect the planet.
The EPA says that the two important lessons children need to learn about environmental sustainability are “reuse and recycle.” Many notebooks, binders, textbooks, books of poetry or literature, and items necessary for scientific labs can be reused by the student the next year, or used by different students. Papers that build up in backpacks and lockers all year can be recycled, saving it from the landfills.
Families need to take these locker clean out times as a chance to teach their children sustainable practices. Teaching them to save reusable school supplies and use recycled products are important lessons. If a student wants new school supplies, then old ones can be donated to non-profits or family friends. EnviroSolutions, Inc., a waste management company that serves clients in Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington D.C. area, says this is the best way for children to become sustainable and environmentally responsible individuals.
About EnviroSolutions, Inc.
For over a decade, EnviroSolutions has been providing waste collection, disposal, and recycling services in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. With a targeted focus on customer service and safety, as well as a commitment to the environmental health and the communities of the areas they serve, EnviroSolutions provides complete waste service to the regions they serve including trash hauling, landfill services, and recycling services. Visit ESIWaste.com today for more information.
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