Got Green?

HILLIARD, Ohio—Reduce, reuse, and recycle. This familiar phrase has been echoed many times throughout the halls of Darby. However, until recently, a truly environmentally friendly high school seemed like a far off dream. 

This year though, it seems like this green vision is closer to realization with an increased emphasis on recycling and a definite move away from wasted paper.

Science Club advisers Betsy Barber and Lucia Culley are both heading up the process of putting recycling bins in the commons, where previously there were none.

Although it would seem like a challenging expense, the process of getting them put in the commons was surprisingly easy and free.

“I contacted [district Custodial Coordinator] Archie Armentrout asking him how we could get recycling bins and he was able to bring over boxes down there for free and we were going to see how those worked, if they didn’t work well, we were going to buy actual bins,” explained Barber.

As of right now, though, students do not utilize the bins as often as they could.

“The custodian only has to empty the cans in the commons once a week, which means they’re only being used 20 percent of the time, when really they should be emptied every day,” Barber said. “We don’t know if students don’t know that they are there, if they’re just lazy, or if they don’t know what to recycle.”

Senior science club member Abdifatah Mohamud thinks that the recycling bins are a great idea that will take off in time.

“I think they will become really popular, kids are into going green and reducing global warming,” he said.

Another green idea being pushed more this year is eCampus, a way for teachers to put up assignments, quizzes and other handouts online.

“I teach sophomores, and the unit we’re starting is the research paper. Every one of the assignments is turned in using eCampus,” said English teacher Erica Golden.

Students appreciate that they are reducing Darby’s carbon footprint in using eCampus as well.

“It saves tons of paper and it’s convenient—you can’t lose assignments,” added junior Rebecca Duncan.

Even with a new stress on becoming a more green school this year with recycling bins in the commons and a move to reduce paper waste with eCampus, there is still room for Darby to decrease its environmental impact.

“We need to get either biodegradable or reusable plastic lunch trays,” suggested Barber.

Hopefully, with this push toward a greener high school, students and staff will take to heart the benefits of recycling and take more measures to improve the environmentally friendliness of Darby.

“[Things that can be recycled include] paper, cans, plastic bottles, any kind of plastic containers,” concluded Barber. “We should recycle more and have less trash. I encourage and challenge our students and staff to recycle.”

This story first was written for Hilliard Darby’s Panther Press and shared with NBC 4 as part of a media collaboration between school and the station.