Jesuit High School now collects four new items for free recycling through partners TerraCycle and Crayola ColorCycle.
Led by JHS physics teacher and Director of Sustainability Jennie Kuenz, the new recycling programs will help members of the JHS community repurpose used plastics rather than sending them to landfills. "We are teaching our students to be good stewards of the precious resources we've been given," says Kuenz. "Our goal, as a school, is to move towards being a Zero Waste institution and to set an example as school leaders in Oregon."
The ColorCycle program alone has repurposed more than 70 tons of expended markers in the United States and Canada since 2013, and uses the most advanced plastic conversion technologies available today to make wax compounds for asphalt and roofing shingles as well as to generate electricity that can be used to heat homes, cook food, and power vehicles.
Students and parents can bring items from home, and Jesuit will send the items to be recycled. Drop off bins are located in the Knight Center Lobby and Student Commons for the following items:
- Markers – any brand of marker, highlighter or dry erase pen
- Oral Care Products – any brand of toothpaste tubes, caps, toothbrushes, floss containers, and toothbrush packaging
- Contact Lenses and Blister Packs – any brand of contact lenses and contact lens blister packs
- Snack Pouches and Caps – for these items, remove as much of the remaining product as possible before placing in bin. Examples: baby food, applesauce, Gogo Squeeze.
Questions? Contact Jesuit Director of Global Engagement and Sustainability Jennie Kuenz at jkuenz@jesuitportland.org.