For over 30 years, the science teachers have recycled the broken glass that they use in their classes. Since 2008, ninth grade Environmental Science teacher, Ms. Geibel has recycled most of the used paper in the building. Recently added to the list of environmental efforts is the collection of plastic bottles. With the recent concern pertaining to global warming and the climate crisis, recycling seems to be a good effort in making this Earth a better place to live. Freedom is taking the right steps by recycling three of the four products that are recyclable at the school. The only thing missing is aluminum, which is almost never used at FHS. Glass The least commonly-known recycling project at the school is glass. Despite the fact that it has been here the longest, not every student knows that it goes on. In every science classroom, the teachers have assigned bins for broken glass. Mrs. Burger actually has a white cardboard box for her students to place all of the broken glass; Mr. Saludis has a brown bin that serves the same purpose. After the bins are full, the janitors collect all of the glass, and then it makes its way to a recycling center. Paper “Recycling helps to save our environment. We save trees, energy, water and landfill space. Recycling paper instead of making new paper protects forests, reduces habitat destruction and prevents soil erosion, which can lead to many other environmental problems,” Ms. Geibel said. In every single classroom there is a cardboard box labeled “RECYCLING” with a picture of the Abitibi Dumpster, which is in the back of the school where all the paper is deposited in. “At Freedom, the recycling process starts at the classroom level. Every week students from the environmental science classes come around to collect the boxes and put the paper in the recycling dumpster,” Ms. Geibel said. After all the paper is emptied into the Abitibi dumpster, it is emptied into a truck. That truck then takes it to the recycling center. “At the recycling center, the paper is sorted so that all of the non-paper products that snuck in are removed. The paper is usually shredded, mixed with water and goes through a process to get the dyes out. After that it goes through the normal paper-making process,” Ms. Geibel said. Plastic Just like paper, plastic does the same thing. It takes up landfill space and uses energy and water. “Each bottle that doesn’t get recycled takes 15 years to break down in a landfill,” Mrs. Bourque said. Over the past couple of months, there has been a change from collecting “Lids for Kids” to recycling, in order to protect the environment. Mrs. Bourque set up a designated garbage can in the cafeteria for the students to recycle their tea and water bottles. Beside the garbage can is a white bucket for the students to empty all of their liquids. “New Sewickley Township has a recycling program, although it is not mandatory. I take [the bottles] home and wash them. Then [the plastic goes] straight to the township center and [the center] puts them in their recycling bin. From what I understand, Brunner’s picks up the plastic and takes them to a recycling center. Money is given to Brunner’s who then gives it back to the Township,” Mrs. Bourque said. As you can see, these bottles only positively impact the area in which we live. Money is donated back to the township in order to maintain roads during winter and make sure it is a safer place. It also keeps unwanted things out of landfills nearby. Freedom may be red and white through spirit, but it is evolving into a greener school district and positively affecting the community.