Recycled Hours

The+green+and+blue+bins+typically+used+for+recycling.

The green and blue bins typically used for recycling.

For the past several years, it has been a requirement for every student to perform at least 10 hours of community service per year, from freshman year all the way through senior year. There are different ways to complete the 10 hour minimum, from Scouting to volunteer work at animal shelters to working with disabled youth. There is, however, one way to easily complete the required minimum without having to be involved in out-of-school volunteer work: recycling during extra help.

Now, one might say to themselves, “Oh, why should I recycle? Why should I sacrifice my extra help time in order to do such a task?” For every extra help session that someone recycles, “We get half an hour for every recycling period,” stated Jackie DeVito, one of CURE’s Recycling Coordinators. That means a student can get their required hours done in only 20 days of recycling!

CURE is responsible for placing and cleaning out the lovely green and blue bins in every classroom. Lately, there has been a slight shortage of recyclers, but that can be combatted by having non-CURE members helping us recycle. “We need people to recycle, not only because it makes you a good person who cares for the environment, but it also gives you community service hours. Well, actually, it is about being a good soul and being environmentally friendly. Everyone should care, and recycle correctly,” claimed DeVito.

According to an article on The Guardian from January 26, “There are currently estimated to be 800 million tonnes of fish in the oceans and 100 million to 150 million tonnes of plastic. This is increasing by around 20 million tonnes a year, but that growth is expected to accelerate as far greater numbers of people are able to afford to buy products that are made with, or packaged in, plastic.” By recycling with CURE, we are able to reduce the amount of plastics that are thrown out and end up in the oceans, helping to preserve the earth. Join us, and complete your community service hours with CURE.