Submitted article

A recycling program is something nearly every business and organization has in place today. However, the Bucyrus Secondary School recycling program is about more than just helping the environment.

Every Tuesday, the BHS Science Club goes to every room and office in the Secondary School and collects paper and cardboard. Once collected, the recyclable materials are hauled to Advanced Fiber Technology, a local Bucyrus business.

“Before we haul the paper and cardboard to Advanced Fiber Technology, we use the scales at Mennell Milling to determine our total weight for the week,” Science Club advisor Amanda Kent said. “We are very grateful for the partnership we have developed with Mennell Milling because they allow us to use their scales free of charge.”

Once the weight has been determined, the materials are taken to Advanced Fiber Technology. To date, the Science Club has collected over 5,500 pounds of recyclable materials.

“The Science Club receives money for the recyclable materials on a per pound basis,” Kent said. “We use those monies to pay for our bus driver, mileage and substitute teachers to go to Cedar Point for Math and Physics Week in May.”

As a partner in the program, Advanced Fiber Technology sees this as an opportunity to teach students how to be practical and prudent with our resources.

“Wastepaper is a resource that we recycle into our various products and demonstrates to the students a ‘prudent and practical’ use of this resource,” Advanced Fiber Technology President Doug Leuthold said. “Participating with schools helps to increase the awareness of utilizing our resources in a responsible manner.”

The work of the Science Club to find new ways to fund their activities is not lost on district administration.

“I would like to personally commend, and thank, Mrs. Kent and the BHS Science Club for finding new ways to fund their activities,” Treasurer Ryan Cook said. “This is just one example of many that shows how our teachers, and our students, are finding new and creative ways to fund special projects and trips that enhance the education of Bucyrus students.”

For more information about the Science Club recycling program, contact Kent at 419-562-7721 or email akent@bucyrusschools.org.