 Rockcastle County students are learning first hand about the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. The county’s schools have joined a recycling program launched by Joanie Alexander, a Rockcastle County High School junior, in cooperation with the Rockcastle County Solid Waste Office. The program is sponsored by Citizens Bank and Community Trust Bank.
All Rockcastle County schools are participating in the recycling program, including the Area Technology Center, Academy for Academic Achievement and Central Office.
“I got the recycling bins placed in every school a few weeks ago,” said Alexander, who began the school recycling project after graduating from the Rogers Scholars program in July. “It took awhile to get everything going, but it's finally underway! The project seems to be doing really well.” She thanked those who have made the program possible, with special thanks to Citizens Bank President Corey Craig.
Three bins were placed in each room for the recycling of paper, plastic and aluminum. The Solid Waste Office provided large bins for central collection points, such as hallways. James Renner, the county’s solid waste and PRIDE coordinator, picks up the recyclables from each school.
Renner said the schools are collecting more recyclables, especially paper, since the bins were placed in all classrooms. He began picking up recyclables at the schools last year, but some schools chose not to participate and the main item collected was cardboard.
“I want to thank Joanie for getting the money for the bins and placing them, and everyone who made that possible,” Renner said. “We’re really happy to see the schools come on board with recycling.”
Citizens who want to recycle can use the free drop-off center at 2528 South Wilderness Road. It’s open 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center accepts plastics #1-7, any paper, cardboard, metal cans, aerosol cans, aluminum cans, glass, rechargeable batters, computer equipment and most electronics (no TVs or microwaves). For more information, call Renner at 256-1902.
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“Some community drop-off points for recycling will be available in the next six months,” Renner added. The county received a state grant to purchase portable drop-off containers, and Renner said they will be in place by July.
"I congratulate Joanie on making her vision a reality, and I appreciate Citizens Bank, Community Trust Bank and the Solid Waste Office for supporting this important project," said Tammie Wilson, PRIDE vice president and chief operating officer. "Recycling is such an easy way to reduce the energy and natural resources needed to make products we use every day. By recycling in school, students will pick up a good habit for life."
"The Center is very pleased that Joanie chose to partner with PRIDE in such an innovative way," said Jessica Melton, associate director of education and training for The Center for Rural Development, which sponsors the Rogers Scholars program. "By coordinating such a large-scale and environmentally conscious project, we feel she has become a role model for how Rogers Scholars participants can and should 'think big' when planning their community service component projects. We salute Joanie for her groundbreaking efforts."
Rogers Scholars are tasked with starting a community service project in their hometowns. The Rogers Scholars program is an intensive, one-week summer course that develops technological skills and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and commitment to rural Kentucky. Sixty high school juniors are selected from 42 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky for the program annually. For more information, visit the Rogers Scholars web site at www.rogersscholars.com.
Alexander won the region’s PRIDE Volunteer of the Month Award in September for launching the recycling program. PRIDE promotes environmental cleanup and education in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky.
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