TROUT LAKE - Students at Charles Tetcho school are serious about recycling.

Every last pop can, water bottle and juice box counts for the nine students in Trout Lake because each one brings them a few cents at a time closer to a school trip.

Sheyenne Jumbo, left, Deanna Jumbo, Corey Jumbo, Tyler Jumbo and Katrina Deneron show their enthusiasm for the recycling project that is going to help them fund a school trip. - photo courtesy of Maria Jones

In December it was suggested that the school take over the community's recycling program that was being run by Ndu Tah Ukoe Ltd., the local store. Members of the district education authority were keen on the idea, said teacher Maria Jones.

Students took over the program in February on a trial basis and have run a miniature recycling depot two days a month from 3 to 4 p.m. since then.

When community members bring their recyclables to the school, students decked out in rubber gloves meet them. The students work on the floor of the boot and cloakroom in the school. Each load of recyclables is dumped into an empty garbage pail and then items are counted out one at a time into a garbage bag.

Community members have three options for their resulting money return. They can donate all the money from the items to the school, donate some of the money or get cash receipts for all the items, said Jones. Students prefer the first option because their main objective is to raise money for a school trip.

Business was slow during the first depot day on Feb. 15, with few recyclables coming in. Since then business has picked up, said Jones. On Feb. 28 students counted 870 cans.

"That took a lot of doing," she said.

The most recent depot day on March 15 was also a success, said Jones. Students sorted approximately 440 pop cans and 40 juice boxes. All the material filled six large garbage bags.

Counting the items isn't always easy.

"Lots of times we have to start over because they lose count," said Jones.

The job can also be a bit messy because not all of the cans have been rinsed out.

Although counting recyclables doesn't sound like a lot of fun, students say they don't mind the task.

"It's fun," said Tyler Jumbo. On depot days Jumbo, the oldest student at age 16, helps sort the plastic from the bottles and then counts the items.

Jumbo admits that sometimes he loses track of what number he is on. Two hundred is the highest number he has counted to, so far.

With the money that is saved, Jumbo would like to go on a trip to Yellowknife and maybe go bowling. The students went to Yellowknife last year and it was lots of fun, he said.

With $67.70 raised so far the students are still a few depot days away from a trip of any kind, but small milestones in the fundraising will be celebrated, said Jones.