Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Recycling doesn't end with throwing your waste in the blue bin.

No one may know this better than the recycling club at St. Joseph school. Every week, the students sort through what their classmates have thrown into the recycling bins, before the materials head to the recycling plant.

From gum to filled juice boxes, to chess pieces and glue sticks, the students often finish their weekly sorting duties covered in their classmates' lunchtime mess.

"It's fun as long as you don't get stuff all over your pants," said Iain Brooks, 11.

The dozen or so students who gather twice a week belong to an enrichment program organized by the school. Selected for their academic success, the children take time off of regular classes to participate in the recycling club.

Aside from sorting through the various materials, the students also gather once a week to discuss how they can promote recycling in the school.

"If we don't recycle then our planet will be filled with garbage," said Paulina Brooks, 11. "We do it because it's helping the planet."

As a bonus to helping save the Earth, the students will also get to spend the profits. Natalie Sauve, the teacher who organizes the recyclers, said that last year's group raised close to $1,000.

Sauve has been involved with the group since November. She said the students have proven themselves strong in organizational skills.

After just one session of teaching the students what needed to be done, Sauve said they were able to organize themselves. Each adopted a role of sorter, counter, washer, or dryer.

The students also advertise their efforts during a morning announcement song, belting out "Take it to the Bin" to the tune of Justin Timberlake's "I'm Bringing Sexy Back."