Solid Waste Reduction
School-Wide Recycling
- Description: NGHS recycles an extensive amount of paper and cardboard. Every classroom and office contains at least one paper recycling bin. Plastic bottle recycling bins are located in the cafeteria and sports fields. Weekly, students enrolled in the student service alliance class collects the paper and plastic, sorts it, bags each type separately, and takes it to an outside storage building. Students also transport the bagged recycling items to a drop-off location. The paper and plastic is processed by the Garrett County Solid Waste and Recycling Division. Several containers for the recycling of aluminum cans are located around the school building. The money obtained when recycling the cans completely funds two $750 memorial scholarships awarded to college-bound seniors each year. Tabs from aluminum cans are collected and given to the Ronald McDonald House. The Envirothon team collects old ink cartridges, cell phones, and other small electronic items year round. These items are sent to EcoPhones to be recycled. The team receives a small amount of money for each item submitted, which is used to purchase training supplies and to fund field trips and traveling to competitions.
- Grade Level(s): 9--12
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 25 students per semester
- Dates: September 2015--March 2019
Composing
- Description: A compost bin was constructed close to the school barn for waste generated in the barn and greenhouse. The soil created is then used for potting plants in the greenhouse.
- Grade Level(s): 9--12
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 45 students per semester
- Dates: November 2017--March 2019
Greeting Card Drive for St. Jude's Ranch for Children Recycled Card Program
- Description: Until the program ended, our students collected greeting cards after the holiday season. The collected cards were sent to St. Jude's Ranch for Children for their recycled card fundraising program.
- Grade Level(s): 9--12
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 15 students run the drive each year. Many of our students donate greeting cards.
- Dates: January 2015, 2016, and 2017
Recycled Sculptures
- Description: Each year, Art students create a sculpture using recycled materials. Students are then invited to enter their sculptures into the MDE Rethink Recycling Sculpture Contest.
- Grade Level(s): 9--11
- Number of Students Involved: Approximately 150
- Dates: 2015--2018
Student sculptures for the Rethink Recycling Sculpture Contest.