At Northstar, learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom — it happens in the hallways, the lunchroom, and even by the recycling bins. Thanks to a student-led recycling initiative, our middle school students are taking the lead in reducing waste across campus while gaining valuable vocational and life skills.

Led by middle school science teacher Isabel Futterman, the program has become part of both the curriculum and the culture at Northstar. Each week, students collect recyclable items — plastic bottles, paper, and cardboard — from classrooms and common spaces. They sort, organize, and prepare the materials for transport to local recycling centers, turning what could have been waste into a lesson in responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Recently, the program received a boost through a Green Grant application. This helped purchase new recycling bins, including a triple-sort station for the new gym and community room. These additions make recycling even more accessible for students and staff. The multiple locations remind us that sustainability is everyone’s responsibility.

“Hooray!” Ms. Futterman commented about the update, “Students now have sorting bins across campus for cans, bottles, and paper products. It’s a small step that makes a big difference — and it’s led by them.”

The impact is already visible. From the office to the library to the lunch room, new blue and grey bins are in place, giving students a hands-on role in keeping our school green.

The program also gives students the opportunity to hone their social skills. When visiting offices and classrooms to collect bins, they practice proper entry etiquette. This includes knocking politely, waiting for the okay to enter, and asking if they can step in to take care of this week’s recycling.

For our students, this initiative goes beyond recycling. It’s about building executive function skills like organization, planning, and teamwork. It’s about practicing leadership and community service. And it’s about recognizing that even small actions (like choosing the right bin) can add up to meaningful change.

At Northstar, we are proud of the way our students are learning to care for the world around them, and we look forward to seeing this program grow. After all, sustainability is not just a lesson for today — it’s a skill for life.