Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Students from the East Northport Middle School Environmental Action Team are on a mission to reduce their carbon footprint. The team members concerned about the amount of paper their school was throwing out, have recycled paper for the last two years. Once a week the students go from classroom to classroom and weigh the paper collected. They collected 1,000 pounds of paper this year and 1,300 pounds last year. The students designed and repurposed copier paper boxes into recycling bins. They then bagged it and put it out for the recycling truck to pick up. The group consists of about 20 members and has completed many projects, including reusing scrap materials from technology class to build iPhone microscopes, keeping the school courtyard maintained, and designing reusable water bottles for the school. Not only are the students helping the environment but they are having fun as well. Katelyn U., grade six, shared, “Every piece of paper helps save a tree.” Gracie M., grade eight added, “It’s a lot of fun being a part of E.A.T. I love that it gives kids a chance to help the environment.”