Beckley, WV (WOAY) – A group of Raleigh County preschoolers spent Earth Day outside the classroom, touring the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority to see firsthand where their trash and recyclables go.
Students from Smoot Elementary toured the the landfill by bus to see how waste is responsibly managed, visited the generator building where methane produced by decomposing trash is converted into electricity, and finished at the recycling museum to see how thrown-away materials are made into new products.
Sherrie Hunter, Director of Education at the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority, said the moment the process clicks for young children is what makes the tours worthwhile.
“The looks on the faces and they’re nonverbal, like, I can’t believe it. And they’re showing their mommy look and they see milk jugs, I see paper, they see cardboard,” Hunter said. “But at the same time, we want them to be mindful that that cardboard, that paper, that plastic, that milk jug doesn’t need to go in the landfill.”
Smoot Elementary teacher Cassie Shipe said she schedules the trip every spring around Earth Day and makes a point of inviting parents to attend alongside their children.
“It’s more than just the kids. We try to invite every parent to attend with their child because it’s super educational and the statistics that Miss Sherrie gives us, the parents get a real wow factor, and then kids, they just love garbage,” Shipe said, humorously.
The lesson resonated with at least one parent who had been through it herself decades ago. Abby Harless visited the facility as a child and returned Tuesday with her own children in tow.
“I recycle at work, but I need to do better about doing it at home also,” Harless said. “So I think it’ll be a good project for me and the kids to start recycling at home.”
For Hunter, seeing that response from parents and students alike affirms the mission behind the program.
“When those students leave and they make a pledge to always be litter getters and never litter bugs, and they’ll always reduce, reuse, recycle, I know that the next generation is going to take care of the earth,” she said. “And so for that, it warms my heart, puts the biggest smile.”
Hunter said hundreds more students are expected at the facility later this week, with groups from Rainelle Elementary and Saint Francis both scheduled for tours.
