Processing Winthrop's recycling strengthens Environmental Literacy, illustrates the application of Circular Economy principles, and instills civic responsibility and leadership.
Students develop a sense of responsibility to educate others when learning about recyclables and observing what contaminants are commonly placed in recycling stations. During the event, students are encouraged to ask questions: What items are made from this material? Does it actually get recycled? Where does it go from here? How much does Winthrop recycle, and how much trash do we send to the landfill?
Recycling Right contributes to social justice, ecological integrity, and economic vitality. However, we must also consider the importance of reducing all types of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW).
Service to others demonstrates how joining together in service can transform your life and the lives of others. Service not only improves the community, but it also has the power to unite people, build bridges, and heal divides.
While sorting recycling can be perceived as gross, and sometimes it is. However, this is why we must learn from this experience what the sorting process entails, and why curtailing contamination improves the lives of the employees sorting this material at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
