Growing up Green By Sharissa Olivas

to lead towards a greener planet by empowering future generations. Mission statement: “Growing up Green” is a program designed to teach children the importance of recycling, to lead towards a greener planet by empowering future generations.

Recycling - Why is it needed? Our environment is dying… it is our job to fix it. There are countless items thrown away every day that could have been recycled. Recycling paper reduces deforestation, having an impact on CO2 levels, among other things. Recycling plastic and glass reduces the carbon emissions created by producing those materials.

What is wrong with the current system? The problem is not the recycling system, it is the people who recycle. ~ 35% of people do not even recycle. Those that do recycle, do not know the proper methods Materials are not properly sorted by people which drives up costs at the recycling centers

The Client We chose Albuquerque Public Schools as our client for the following solution to the recycling program. It was decided that influencing the youth would be the best way to make a lasting impact on the world. We want to teach the students about recycling at a young age so they are not only informed, but also excited to make a positive impact on the world throughout their lives.

Programs for grade school designed around empowering students with knowledge and tools focused on recycling. The solution

How it works Step 3 Step 2 Step 1 Perform crafts with the students for them to create their own recycling bins to take home to their families. Encourage them to take what they learned, into the future. Hold seminars at APS schools to teach students about the importance of recycling. Keep these sessions interactive to gain interest. Create competitions between classrooms (and schools) to gamify the act of recycling and make it fun Step 3 Step 2 Step 1

Cost Effectiveness Time for Presentation Supply of Recycle Bins 3 Costs Associated Time for Presentation Related to the massive problem that is being tackled, this is actually a really low cost solution. Solve the problem at the source Teach the youth the importance of recycling Empower students to recycle Give them the tools they need Supply of Recycle Bins Time to Host Competitions/Crafts

Other than supplies, there aren’t many costs associated with Growing up Green. All it would really take is time spent on going to schools to implement these programs. We would of course need buy-in from teachers and principals but that will be easy because this solution is good for everyone. Since this is something I am passionate about, I would also be willing to volunteer to put in the time to teach students and implement programs Cost of Time

The Future: Recycle for a Longer Life... People & Planet

Rinkesh. “Importance of Recycling. ” Conserve Energy Future, 24 Dec Rinkesh. “Importance of Recycling.” Conserve Energy Future, 24 Dec. 2016, www.conserve-energy-future.com/importance_of_recycling.php. “The Importance of Recycling to the Environment.” Earth Eclipse, 22 Aug. 2017, www.eartheclipse.com/recycling/importance-recycling-environment.html. “Why It's Important to Recycle and Compost.” South London Waste Partnership (SLWP), www.slwp.org.uk/what-we-do/recycling-composting/why-it-is-important-to-recycle-and-compost/.