AP Environmental Science classes learn about waste management
AP Environmental Science students took a trip to Athens, GA to learn first hand about waste management efforts on March 29.
Upper School teachers Mr. Brian Phillips and Mr. Chandler Brooks took their students to three facilities in the Athens area that are responsible for handling waste: the Middle Oconee Water Reclamation facility, the Athens-Clarke County Recycling facility, and the Athens-Clarke County Landfill and Composting facility.
Their first stop was the Middle Oconee Water Reclamation facility, one of the water reclamation facilities in Clarke County. This particular facility handles waste primarily from local hospitals and some residential areas. After a short presentation about the facilities, Mr. Ken Weiner who works at the facility took the group on a tour. The students were able to see where the dirty water comes in and the process it goes through to become clean again. Using “activated sludge,” a combination of micro-organisms that eat the bad things in the water, and exposing the water to UV light to disinfect it, the facility is able to discharge clean water into the Middle Oconee River in about two days.
At the Athens-Clarke County Recycling facility, the students donned hard hats and safety vests to tour the building and see how recyclables are processed. They watched as workers and specialized equipment sorted through the various materials that come into the facility. Mr. Mason Towe, Recycling Program Education Specialist, led the tour and pointed out the bundles of paper, plastics, and metals that are collected and resold for reuse in industry.
A short presentation was given to the students by Ms. Denise Plemmons, Commercial Recycling Specialist. She explained in detail the importance of the mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” They learned that one of the biggest ways they could make an impact is just by looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste they produce. She encouraged students to think of products that they could reuse - like using real utensils instead of the plastic utensils that you use once and then throw away. They also learned that when you choose to recycle, not only are you reducing the amount of waste that goes to a landfill, but you are also helping create jobs for people who work at plants that create new materials using the recycled items.
Towe continued on the trip to the last destination, which was the Athens-Clarke County Landfill and Composting facility. When the bus stopped at the composting area, students were surprised at the smell, even before leaving the bus. They learned about the process of composting, which again makes use of the micro-organisms that break down organic materials over time. The facility then sells the compost.
At the landfill, Towe explained how the landfill works and how they prevent waste-discharge from seeping into the ground. As Towe spoke, trucks drove around depositing more waste into the landfill. The students also saw that the landfill actively and intentionally collects some items for reuse: bikes are collected to be refurbished and given to kids in need, metal items are collected to be used again, and mattresses are collected to be cleaned up and given to people who have none.
The trip was an eye-opening one that the students won’t soon forget.
“When most people flush a toilet or throw something in a trash can, that is the end of the story for them,” said Phillips. “I think it is important for students to see the time and resources involved in dealing with our waste streams as well as the impacts that our waste has on the environment.”
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
