I like money.  I like it when the economy is good, when there are plenty of jobs and when financial crises are not prevalent.  But that’s not the world I live in.

As a dedicated and life-long student at Plainwell, it concerns me to see what has essentially become my “residence” not only itself deteriorate from poor choices and financial woes, but moreover it is concerning that my school remains one of many adding to a growing problem: the state of the environment.

To many, the term “renewable energy” represents an unattainable ideal, even though with the wonders of modern technology, such a concept can become a reality (even in lil’ ole’ Plainwell). 

If properly applied, solar energy can run most, if not all, of Plainwell schools’ energy needs—electricity, lighting, heating, air conditioning, and water temperature regulation.  Solar energy, contrary to popular belief, does not require large “fields” of large and obnoxious panels, rather rolls of paper thin photovoltaic paneling can easily be installed on the roofs and walls of the buildings (even the floors). 

Undoubtedly, the most common complaint of solar energy is its fairly large initial cost.  However, many state-funded grants exist to establish solar energy in public facilities, especially schools. 

Many also seem to think that if the stored solar energy is depleted, that there would be no energy. But should the stored solar energy become depleted, a back-up energy system would be in place; conversely, if excess energy is generated, Plainwell schools could be paid for it.

In some large businesses, solar paneling has cut energy costs in half; residential homes have even cut energy bills as much as 95 percent!  Solar energy is a very feasible idea.

However, solar energy is not the only idea that needs to be adopted.  Recycling may be the more popular way to be “eco-friendly,” and while many schools, Plainwell included, have recycling programs, many are mediocre.  Moreover, little is known about the real benefits of recycling besides “saving the planet.”  I’ve heard on several occasions, “It’s more expensive to recycle than to create new items, so it’s not that great,” but let’s analyze this statement.
 
The obvious flaw: when you don’t recycle, you are throwing renewable resources into landfills to sit and rot (for example, plastics take nearly 400 years to degrade in landfills and in the process release toxins into the ground, the water supply, and the air); in truth, littering is no different. 

While Americans would love to say otherwise, America is not self-sustaining and it does not produce these resources that so many wastefully throw into landfills: not recycling is a confirmation of ignorance, and quite frankly, it’s a matter of putting an item into a different can.

Another flaw with the idea that it’s more expensive to recycle is that Michigan has a terrible economy, and how do you fix an economy?  You spend money and create jobs!  Here’s a few “fun” facts from the Michigan Recycling Partnership: both directly and indirectly, Michigan’s recycling industry is responsible for roughly 164,122 jobs with a payroll of roughly $4.8 billion and receipts of roughly $19.8 billion, generating some $490 million in state and local taxes.  Sounds fantastic right? 

Well, this is Michigan as it currently stands where only 20 percent of recyclable materials are recycled (Michigan is ranked at 41 of 48 states that reported for recycling—one of the worst rates in the country). 

Can you even imagine if everybody recycled like human beings should?  In fact, a mere 10 percent increase in recycling could create some 13,000 more jobs and vicariously generate $300 million in income, $3.9 billion in receipts, and about $22 million in state taxes. 

The people of this world need to start taking responsibility for their actions, there are no exceptions—this includes Plainwell schools.  I am taking action in proposing the following:
-- Establishing photovoltaic solar paneling to cover the roofs—and possibly walls—of all of Plainwell schools’ buildings in order to utilize renewable energy and to cover the ridiculously large costs of running a public school system. Replacing all standalone garbage and recycling receptacles with joint cans (where there are four cans joined together: paper/cardboard recycling, non-recyclables, plastic/metal/glass/foil recycling, and compost).  This makes recycling easier and more convenient, and thus more prevalent.

-- Educating students on why recycling is important by teaching them that recycling is more than a pretentious “go green” fad by actually showing how it is not only good for the environment and overall health, but how much it actually stimulates the economy. 

-- Educating students on what is recyclable: BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ARE NOT THE ONLY RECYCLABLE ITEMS!  Plastic shopping bags, ramen noodle bags, chip bags, candy wrappers, Go-Gurt tubes, and yogurt/pudding cups ARE all recyclable; as is type #6 plastic which usually looks like a Styrofoam cup.  There are to be lists and examples of what is recyclable on the joint cans.  If you think something may be recyclable, put it in!  If it’s not recyclable, it’ll get taken care of, and if it is, then awesome!

-- Establishing real cafeteria recycling with composting (composting unwanted food makes cleaning recyclables easier).

-- Possibly establishing community services projects to help clean recyclable items after school (for high school studentswho need community service hours).

-- Installing automatic sensors for bathroom features (automatic sensors are more sanitary because people don’t touch anything, and they’re easier).  Automatic toilets eliminate the issue of people not flushing.  Automatic soap dispensers and hand sanitizer dispensers (as gross as it may be, many are too lazy to use real soap) give out the perfect amount for cleanliness and to reduce waste.  Automatic sinks conserve water and prevent students from mindlessly leaving the sinks on, lowering the schools’ water bills. 

-- The most necessary bathroom change: eliminate all bathroom paper towel dispensers and replace them with XLERATOR hand dryers (these are automatic with very high power and are very quick).  Paper towels would be kept in the science and art rooms, the cafeteria, and there would be a roll in every classroom just in case.  The heat is much more sanitary, and they reduce paper towel waste which is great for the environment and for the janitors who have to clean up the wet paper towels students throw everywhere.  In addition, it will save the school SO much money (over the years, Plainwell has probably spent THOUSANDS on paper towels, whereas a virtually indestructible titanium XLERATOR dryer costs somewhere near $100 and only has to be purchased once)--oh, and they’re customizable for schools.

    In truth, the amount of work it would take to establish these eco-friendly and money-saving policies is minimal, and it is more than worth the effort.  An eco-friendly school teaches its students to not be wasteful, to appreciate things more, and promotes school unity and pride.  There is absolutely no reason, no justification, as to why Plainwell cannot be a 100 percent progressive and eco-friendly school.  I care about the world, and I care about my school, so here is my “call to action”: contact the administration about establishing these policies (students are crucial to this process—after all, we are the ones who have to live with the choices of the administration, and we have more of a say than we seem to think we do), educate yourself as to why these policies are important, both economically and environmentally, and do something about it—educate others, start projects, and take up recycling and/or composting at home.  In the words of Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”  There is no reason why Plainwell cannot be this change.