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New Ideas for Recycling at Haldane
Haldane School officials have been working closely with Walt Thompson, Program Manager for Keep Putnam Beautiful, to expand recycling throughout the district. Currently the Putnam County Recycling Dept. collects all paper products from the school including Xerox paper, newspaper, magazines and cardboard. #1 and #2 plastics are also being removed from the waste stream.
An innovative program has been started through which elementary students are recycling lunchroom waste by feeding the pigs at the Glynwood Center. Through a grant from the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, MS/HS Librarian, Linda Merolle, has organized ink jet and laser printer cartridge and cell phone recycling. The district will be reimbursed for each recycled cartridge and phone received and the money will be used to purchase ink cartridges for the school. Litter bags for high school students in driver's education classes were also provided through this grant. In the elementary art room and classrooms creative recycling turns trash into treasures.
Wayne Robinson, Haldane Director of Facilities, states that, "Haldane has a long term goal to support environmentally sound initiatives. Reduce, reuse, recycle is a mentality we all have to share." Future possibilities include involving more grades in recycling and litter abatement programs using free resources from the Go Green Initiative. A roadway may be adopted by the school or a specific grade level. A composting project may be initiated. Art projects such as the New York Recycles calendar and poster contest may be used to increase recycling awareness.
A school or town trash can decoration project may be established modeled on similar programs in Rockland and Putnam Counties. Ecology clubs may be set up, possibly partnering with Eco Kids/Eco Moms at Garrison School and the Go Green Club at Putnam Valley Middle School. The administration at Haldane plans to raise recycling awareness for the students and staff to make Haldane as ecologically sound as possible.
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