Sarah Fox ‘09
Web Editor
This year Staples maintenance team is implementing a new initiative to help increase recycling at Staples. This program is scheduled to begin with the arrival of more recycling bins within the next three weeks.
According to Craig Schmarr, the Supervisor of Building Operations for the Westport Public Schools, this program is only adding to an already superior system.
“Here (in the district) we have had a recycling program implemented for a couple years…what we’re doing is every year there is more stuff added to it when the government laws change” said Schmarr.
On Nov. 14 when Schmarr along with Staples Head Custodian Delbert Lane and Assistant Supervisor of Building Operations Dave Seirup presented their initiative to Collaborative Team the response was overwhelmingly positive.
In discussion with students and teachers present at the meeting such as Principal John Dodig, Physical Education Department Chair David Gusitch and Assistant Principal James Farnen a plan was laid out.
“We’re bringing in additional trash cans, we’re bringing in more and more recyclable containers; we have different types of tandom carts going through here picking up recycling” said Schmarr.
Tandom carts, which are three piece carts that have one space each for cans, papers, and plastics, are only one among many of the different products being ordered.
“We’re bringing in a lot of extra cans. We’re bringing in a lot of extra containers to put around copy machines. You’re going to see garbage cans in the hallways throughout. We have a great amount of recycling containers here. We have what they call tandom carts; you’ll see those being placed strategically throughout the school” said Schmarr.
What may surprise many is the already overwhelming amount of products which are recycled at Staples with the current recycling program.
“Recycling is not just paper, plastics, bottles, cans and things like that. We recycle computers, light bulbs, waste oil, and boiler chemicals. We do a hazard waste pick up every year” said Schmarr.
As an example, Schmarr cited that currently this year at Staples alone, he has already recycled between 3,000 and 4,000 light bulbs.
However, Schmarr feels that despite the number of things which are being recycled, there is always room for improvement.
“Using the cafeteria as an example, I mean if everybody just puts everything in the right container everything will work out well for us. Let’s just say you have a blue container in your classroom…if somebody put a cup of coffee or something in there and there is recycling paper in there, then the whole thing becomes contaminated and then the whole thing is regular trash. So, it’s just an awareness thing and a learning curve for everybody” said Schmarr.
But if everyone including custodians, teachers, staff members and students put forth the effort something can be done to help.
Schmarr reports that “We’re all very happy with what we are doing and are all willing to put the effort forward to make sure that we get better. There’s always room for improvement that’s all I can say and that has to be on everybody’s part.”
