McManus Middle School Recognized as Eco-School by National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon

What really happens when one plastic water bottle gets thrown into the trash? Is it really a big deal? Students at McManus Middle School in Linden are finding out. Science classes are researching where plastic waste goes, what the implications are and just how much plastic is wasted overall. This effort is just one part of a series of actions that the school is undertaking to reduce waste.

McManus Middle School is one of the latest schools to join Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey, a partnership between National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon. This international program recognizes and provides free resources to schools integrating sustainability into the curriculum and on school grounds. Through the Eco-Schools program, schools select from ten environmental focus areas or pathways to work on such as energy efficiency, biodiversity, and sustainable foods. The free and voluntary program has been gaining in popularity in the garden state with 147 schools registered throughout New Jersey.

“The students really enjoy working on projects that affect their environment,” says McManus teacher Cynthia Laface. “I have watched their response grow from awareness to concern to determination to do something about it!”

Science, math, language arts and social studies classes are working together to research the waste problem, develop solutions and increase student awareness. While students work to cut back waste from plastic water bottles and excess paper they will also be developing data tables to measure the savings. McManus is hoping that their efforts will earn them a grant from the Wrigley’s Litter Less Campaign. This Campaign, coordinated by Eco-Schools with the support of the Wrigley Company Foundation, aims to help schools engage in recycling and waste reduction efforts. The school plans to use the money from the grant to purchase extra recycling bins.

Jennifer Dowd, Eco-Schools coordinator, New Jersey Audubon says “In spite of challenges, multidisciplinary teachers are focusing on reducing waste and consumption through the lens of their subject areas. Woven seamlessly into the curriculum, the students are investigating their own beliefs and behaviors- these teachers are giving their students an authentic learning experience and the opportunity to make a difference in their larger community.” Dowd recently conducted a free professional development seminar for the teachers of McManus on the topic of sustainability education, sponsored by Wells Fargo.

This is only the beginning for McManus. The school is also hoping to invite environmental engineers to the school to offer an inside look at waste and recycling in the town. Next year, the school hopes to add an after school Eco-Club.

There are six Eco-Schools in Union County including Barack Obama Green Charter High School, Grace Wilday Junior High School, Kawameeh Middle School, McManus Middle School, Walter. O. Krumbiegel Middle School, and William Woodruff Elementary School.