Waynesville AmeriCorps VISTA Members have been instrumental in expanding recycling efforts within the Waynesville R-VI School District and inspiring environmental awareness among the student body. VISTA Members applied for and received $21,300 in grant funding from Meramec Regional Planning Commission to launch a district-wide commingled recycling program. Funds were used to place recycling bins within every classroom and to start Recycling Clubs at each school to promote green activities. Students monitor the collection of recyclable materials within their buildings and post the amount diverted from landfills each month.

VISTA Members track the progress of each school and coordinate district-wide activities to raise environmental awareness. During Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Members designed earth-friendly projects for students utilizing recycled goods. Projects included creating dog beds from old sweaters to be donated to local animal shelters; designing “Character Word” signs from recycled materials such as can tabs and buttons to be displayed in schools; making environmentally-friendly laundry soap to donate to Good Samaritan Resource Center; and designing a Martin Luther King, Jr. mural from recycled newspapers.

VISTA Members have also coordinated contests to increase student participation in recycling efforts. A poster contest was held at the elementary level, and during Earth Day classes competed to create trophies from recycled materials. Students were rewarded with t-shirts made from recycled materials featuring the Waynesville Go Green logo to further promote the program.

VISTA Members meet regularly with Recycling Club Sponsors to provide resources and ideas for activities, administer pre and post surveys to evaluate student awareness of environmental issues, and to collect data for grant reporting. Since the launch of the recycling program in January 2013, 5.03 tons of paper and 40.53 tons of commingled materials have been recycled within the Waynesville R-VI School District, diverting over 45 tons of waste from local landfills. Waynesville VISTA Members recognize the importance of leading by example and are thrilled to have the opportunity to spearhead the recycling and environmental awareness efforts of the Waynesville R-VI School District and to inspire students to take an active role in preserving their world.