Talk About It-We Go ECO Back To School

2 years ago I found myself covered in papers that were swarming out of a backpack. My eldest child had just started kindergarten and it ached at my heart to see how much waste he was bringing home. I discussed this with my neighbor and she agreed it was indeed ridiculous.

I asked my son if they recycled at school and he told me that they did not. So I mustered up the courage to call the principle and make an appt to speak with him. You see it did take a lot of courage, I really had not had much adult interaction in the last 5 years. 5 years before, I had become a stay at home mom and (to any that are reading this, you know) your social life basically becomes non existent. And when you do happen to be in a situation where a stranger starts talking to you the only words that come out of your mouth are about your children! (Am I right?)


I went in and talked with the principle about my concerns with the amount of waste being produced and asked if there was a way to get the school on board with recycling. I remember basically his answer being that there wasn't enough time or money or something to that effect. I think he just didn't want to deal with it and told me I would have to talk to the county. Well this didn't stop me.

We have recycling containers in our complex so I noted the name and then went online to do some research. I found the company and their local number and gave them a call. I talked to the person on the other end about rates for schools and what would need to happen and what the pick up schedule would be. I was making sure to take good note so I could put together a presentation. At the end of the phone call the recycling guy informed me that they could send out a representative to talk with the principle at the school. I was thinking, well isnt that fantastic!?

So I gave him the name of the principle and the contact information and the name and address of the school. After I hung up I called my neighbor to let her know and she informed me that there was a man that was also working on trying to get recycling up at the high school which is right around the corner, I think she said that he used to work there as a janitor. I guess the schools used to recycle and even still had most of their bins in their basements.

Well I dont think it was even 3 months later when my son came home and told me that they had started recycling!!!! How freaking fantastic is that!? Maybe it was the older gentleman, maybe it was me, maybe it was the recycling company, most likely it was all 3 of us. But now I am proud to say that all of the schools in my town recycle and I may have had something to do with that!

So talk to your children's teachers, talk to the principle, talk to other parents, call the local recycling company and ask them to send you information or to send out a representative. Go to the county if you have to. Make a difference locally. If I can do it, you sure as heck can do it as well! If you need help, support, or want to tell me your success story I would LOVE to hear it!
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Labels: Helpful tips, Life With My Kids