Recycling

As many of you may find out this week, we are making changes to the recycling program at Vantage. The recycling program has been operated by the Building & Grounds program for the last few years and they have done a fantastic job during this time. I want to thank them for all the time they put into this program and for being such a great example for our school. It is overwhelming to think about all the paper and aluminum that they have collected over the years. Besides the great example they provided to us about conservation and improving the environment, they also showed us what it is to be humble and not feel that a task is below any of us doing. Actually the Merriam-Webster definition of humble is: given or said in a way that shows you do not think you are better than other people. I believe the Building & Grounds students showed us exactly how to be humble and serve others. I just heard recently that we don't serve because we aren't confident in who we are. We are worried about what others will think, or what they will say. The Building & Grounds students performed a service that was needed and one that kept our building looking beautiful.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) states on its website "that a paper mill uses 40% less energy to make paper from recycled paper than it does to make paper from fresh lumber". Recycling aluminum uses only 5% of the energy required by virgin production (The Economist June 7, 2007). Actually recycling has been around for a long, long time but got really popular during war times. With the significant material shortages due to war efforts, it made it necessary for people to reuse goods and recycle materials. The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), reported in May 2015, that recycling and waste made a $6.7 billion economic impact in the state of Ohio and employed 14,000 people.

This year we will have the opportunity to serve just like the Building & Grounds students did. Mr. Unverferth has notified all instructors and staff that there will be a sign up sheet for people to sign up to help with recycling. This will be a great opportunity for all service clubs, labs or even classrooms to sign up and do your part to help improve the environment and our school. If this is something that you are interested in, please ask your lab instructor or classroom teacher. If we have enough people sign up, you may only have to do it once a year. Please encourage your friends to sign up also and everyone do their part to make this school an awesome place to be and learn. I am looking forward to seeing all the different students who put service above themselves and are confident enough in themselves to pitch in and help. I can't wait to sign up and hope you will to.