Potter starts recycling program

FALLBROOK- Over 1,000 students are enrolled at Potter Junior High School in Fallbrook and large quantities of trash are generated each day. With no school-wide recycling program in place, many recyclable materials were being thrown out with the trash. That’s why a group of students at Potter decided to set up a recycling program. With the help of Melissa Brooks, a social work intern from San Diego State University, a group of 7th grade girls at Potter promoted and implemented the program among their fellow students.

The girls received a great deal of help and support from surrounding community and county agencies. Shannon Waters, a community educator from “I Love a Clean San Diego,” came out and spoke to the girls about the importance of recycling. The students then worked together to create posters and even a video, which aired on the Potter News, to inform students about the program.

Jen Winfrey, a recycling specialist with the San Diego County Recycling Department came to Potter to assess the need and give advice on how the program could be implemented. Jen also delivered six 98-gallon recycling bins and two smaller bins for the teachers, which the San Diego County Recycling Department donated.

A representative from Kleen-Karts.com generously donated a case of 25 large plastic bags to line the recycling bins, which will allow the students to take part in collecting the materials and depositing them into the main bin.

With the support of school administrators, teachers, and the students themselves, they hope to make the new recycling program at Potter successful for the remainder of this year and for years to come. At Potter Junior High, the students want to do their part to help clean up the planet!