Our Kids Can Teach Us!

Saturday, March 8th was an exciting day at John Muir Elementary School. Hundreds of students, teachers, parents, PTA members and volunteers were at the school participating in a recycling awareness day. Featuring actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr, the event was designed to be both fun and informative, and also to teach all of us how easy, and necessary, recycling is.

Sponsored by the California Department of Conservation, with support from school officials and the PTA, the event brought other notables such as Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, John Muir himself (although it is thought it was really an actor) and Recycle Rex, a huge blue dinosaur that scared some of the kids, and a few parents, too. The idea is that if our kids understand the benefits of recycling, their knowledge and enthusiasm will cause their families to get involved.

Actor Ed Begley Jr and Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi pause in their recycling efforts at John Muir Elementary School. Photo: Barbara Wenger

Californians currently recycle 25 percent less than ten years ago, primarily because of the popularity of bottled water and energy drinks we polish off on the go. Since recycling uses 95 percent less energy than creating new cans, it’s obviously the right way to go. And speaking of going, the kids at John Muir are saving the money from their recycling program to help them go on a school year-end field trip. School supporters are matching the funds they earn from recycling to stretch the budget further.

Neighbors can help as well. Former HVNA President Paul Olsen brought in almost 150 bottles and cans early Saturday morning. When asked where he got all those recyclables, he noted that on his walks through the neighborhood he normally picks up debris and puts it in the nearest container. Lately he’s been saving them for the school. The school will be accepting donations of clean CRV recyclables on Fridays. For more info, contact PTA President Gail Baugh at 265-0546 for details.