Newtown Elementary Students Turn Trash into Cash

It’s hard to imagine that anyone would get excited about sorting trash. But each Friday, the third graders at beg to do just that.

In fact, they like it so much that they forgo recess just to sift through used drink pouches, chip bags, and snack wrappers.

There is a reason for their enthusiasm. The students are recycling for TerraCycle, a Trenton-based company that accepts certain types of waste to make products like bags, picture frames, toys, trashcans, and more.

Best of all, the school gets money in return for the products they send in to recycle.

The school began its effort in October, after parent Kathy Skalish learned about the initiative. “I’m a recycling junkie,” Skalish said, adding she worked with the school’s administration to make the program happen.

So far, the school has collected more than 8,350 drink pouches, which TerraCycle uses to make tote bags and backpacks. They’ve also collected more than 4,200 snack bags and more than 450 Ziplocs, which they’ve just begun recycling. In return for their efforts, TerraCycle gives them 2 cents an item, or $260 since October.

TerraCycle bins are located throughout the hallways and in the cafeteria.

In addition to collecting drink pouches, chip bags, and Ziploc bags, the school just recently added coffee bags to its list of accepted items. Additionally, they now collect candy bar wrappers, energy bar wrappers, plastic tape dispensers, cookie bags, cheese packaging, and anything Kashi brand, Skalish said.

Third-grade teacher Alison Bonilla said her students really enjoy participating in the TerraCycle effort.  Each Friday afternoon during recess, a group of four or five students slip on plastic gloves and join Skalish and other parent volunteers to sort through the collection.

Items are divided into boxes, sealed, and then shipped (postage paid by TerraCycle) to the company's Trenton headquarters.

“It teaches them that there’s so much that they use each day that can be recycled,” Bonilla said. “It’s really remarkable that a snack here and a drink there can lead to that much trash.”

Since almost every student in her class wants to help, Bonilla has made TerraCycle sorting a class job.  

“They get so excited to come down here. It’s something fun and different to do at recess,” Bonilla said. “I think they also enjoy knowing that they’re helping the environment.”

Kellyann Zuzulo, a parent who often comes Fridays to help sort, said the TerraCycle initiative has made her kids more aware of what they throw away not just at school, but also at home. Now, her children always ask if items can be recycled before they toss it in the trash, she said.

For more information on TerraCycle, visit www.terracycle.net.