Edna Clemens

DUNLAP, Tenn. — When Edna Clemens began the recycling program at Sequatchie County Middle School more than 15 years ago she had no idea the impact it would have on students and the community.

However, students and school officials say the program has had an effect beyond the school’s walls and taught the community to value the environment.

“It is wonderful,” assistant principal Sandy Nash said. “We have made some money plus we are helping the environment. Parents are chipping in.”

The recycling program began in 1992 when students in a club Ms. Clemens founded decided they wanted to start a recycling program.

Students recycle aluminum, paper and plastic. Every classroom has recycle bins and the school has bins for paper and aluminum where community members can drop off their recyclable goods.

Ms. Clemens said the school bins are the only place in the county where recyclables are collected.

“Otherwise it would just go in a landfill,” she said.

Once a week students collect and sort the bins, she said. County officials take paper to Chattanooga Paperboard, and teacher volunteers take bottles to Orange Grove in Chattanooga, she said.

The school delivered 66,000 pounds of paper to be recycled last year, she said. Paper has sold for as much as $100 a load, but prices have gone down recently and the school is earning only $27 per load, she said.

Money earned from recycling aluminum cans and paper has helped pay for flag poles, picnic tables, landscaping and an outdoor classroom, Ms. Clemens.

Kate Sanders, a sixth grader at Sequatchie Middle School, said she has enjoyed being a part of the recycling program and plans to take the lessons she has learned into adulthood.

“I think it is a wonderful way to get the people in the community involved, along with our middle schoolers,” she said. “I will continue to recycle. So much waste goes away when you recycle.”

Kate said more than 30 students help with the recycling and many parents have learned to recycle because of their children’s involvement with the program.

“I have learned better ways to recycle,” Kate said. “I have started recycling paper and cans more at home. I have taught my parents about it.”

Today students are excited about participating in the Recycle Olympics, which the school holds every Earth Day.

Ms. Clemens said the event includes games that teach about recycling and conservation, such as a trash sort.

Ms. Nash said that the program has helped beautify the school and the community.

Ms. Clemens plans to retire this year, but school officials will keep the program going.

“This program is too good to give up,” she said.