Recycling at LFHS is everywhere yet nowhere. Blue bins appear in every classroom, yet students often toss plastic bottles, paper, and cans into regular trash bins. Even when the recycling bins are used, they are rarely sorted and managed correctly.
“While there are recycling bins, most of them are not actually used correctly. There also isn’t clear guidance on how to properly recycle…Overall, the lack of instructions and sorting makes LFHS recycling ineffective,” said Environmental Club Co-President Ethan Ziperstein.
This ongoing issue is what inspired the Environmental Club to take action. Known for its hands-on service projects and commitment to sustainability, the club is launching a new student-led recycling initiative aimed at improving the way LFHS handles its waste.
The idea began earlier this year, when club leaders recognized how much potential was being wasted.
“Our school has recycling bins, but there isn’t a lot of effort [being put in] to actually recycle items,” Environmental Club Co-President Clara Mateus said. “Seeing that it’s such a simple task we could be doing to better our sustainability, we decided that this recycling program would be good.”
For the club, the problem goes beyond misplaced trash: it’s about mindset. Many students assume anything can be tossed into a blue bin, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“One thing I wish students at LFHS knew about recycling is that the majority of the stuff they put in those bins can’t be recycled,” Mateus said. “That includes food wrappers, gum, and a lot of drinks.”
At the heart of the initiative is a broader goal: creating a greener school culture.
“Through this project, we hope to create a sustainable school that supports the needs of students while also contributing to an environmentally friendly planet,” Ziperstein said.
The plan includes improvements such as signage explaining what can and can’t be recycled, more awareness, and a team of club members who will help manage collection and sorting. While the group recognizes that change won’t happen overnight, they’re optimistic.
“Since the idea is new, it’s understandable that it’ll probably be slower in the beginning,” Mateus said. “But I’m hoping that future students carry on this initiative we have started and consistently keep up with it.”
While the recycling program will be the club’s focus this semester, the group is planning additional sustainability projects, such as making bird feeders out of plastic bottles, holding a clothing drive, and partnering with Open Lands to spread seeds.
The Environmental Club aims to be implementing the new program within the next couple of months and hopes increased awareness will lead to lasting changes in the sustainability within LFHS.
