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David Hoy Elementary students trash the competition

If there was a contest for greenest school in the Fort, David Hoy Elementary would be making the competition green with envy.
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Sorting things for the world: Three grade 4 students at David Hoy Elementary put collected paper in the appropriate bins to be recycled. (L-R) Minna Jones

If there was a contest for greenest school in the Fort, David Hoy Elementary would be making the competition green with envy.

Even before recycling came to the Fort, students and teachers at David Hoy were helping out by recycling their paper and cardboard in Vanderhoof. One dedicated teacher transported the collected recycling each week to the recycling bins in the neighbouring town.

But the school doesn't just do paper and cardboard.

They also collect compostable materials and juice and beverage containers with refunds on them.

The money they earn from the deposits goes into a scholarship fund for grade 12 students who went to David Hoy.

Different classes help out with the responsibilities of collecting and sorting the various materials.

Grade four students in Marilyn Gammon's class have learned a bit about paper and cardboard recycling and enjoy going into all the different classrooms to do recycling.

"Because it's good for the planet," says Minnna Jones, a 9 year old in the class.

Not only does the job get them up and out of their seats for a break, but teacher Gammon says they also take some of the lessons home with them, one student offering to take compost home to feed to his chickens.

"The kids are great, they like to do it," says Gammon.

But not only do the students get a chance to learn about how to properly recycle and why it might be important, but they also are able to teach this to others.

When students in her class noticed some other classrooms weren't always following the rules to the letter, her students decided classes might need some refreshers on just how they should be using the recycling bins.

Groups of students in her class are now developing skits, puppet shows and other tools to take to the different classes in the school to give some instruction on proper recycling.

"They have lots of ideas around it, they're very keen."

According to Gammon, janitors have even noticed an almost 50 per cent reduction in the waste being produced by the school.

In her class, they have gone from two garbage cans to one and the rest being recyclable or compostable materials.