Thanks to Shawn Turner's fifth-grade gifted class at Rock Spring Elementary, Rock Spring residents may have more opportunities to recycle.
The class completed a research project on recycling in May and presented their findings to Walker County Board of Commissioners Chairman Shannon Whitfield last month. Along with spreading awareness about the benefits of recycling, the class conducted a survey of 159 people to gauge interest in establishing a recycling center in Rock Spring.
More than 93% of respondents said they would participate in a community recycling center to dispose of plastic, aluminum and cardboard.
"It was very impressive, especially for a young group of boys and girls that showed that much enthusiasm and interest in protecting the environment," Whitfield said of the students' presentation.
He said the county is considering setting up some satellite recycling centers in Rock Spring that would accept recycling items at designated locations on a quarterly basis, with the potential to expand beyond that depending on the public response.
That could happen as soon as this coming year, he said.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com