First, Save the Earth; Then, Run the Country

Like any serious presidential hopeful, Albert James is already working on his campaign platform.

Never mind that he can’t actually run until 2036.

While he waits, Albert, a fourth grader at Park Lodge Elementary School, is busy coordinating his school’s TerraCycle program, a brigade to recycle products that are used in every home. He got the idea last fall from an advertisement on the back of a Capri Sun box.

Intrigued by the prospect of raising money for his school, Albert set off on a mission.

“He came to me and said ‘Mrs. Parrish, I really want to help the environment and help our school be better recyclers,’ ” said his teacher, Cathy Parrish.

Park Lodge’s ASB/Students Caring for their Community (SCC) then took on the project under the direction of classroom coach Michelle Leingang, who had been encouraging students to come up with ways to help the environment.

“The environment is really what is affecting these kids and their futures and if we don’t teach them about how to take care of it, they’re going to have problems,” she said.

Leingang worked with Albert to set up the school’s account, and the SCC members have spoken at assemblies to share the guidelines—and get the school excited about recycling.

Albert, who will be the first to tell you that he’s not a shy guy, welcomes the attention.

“You’re recognized for starting such a good program in the school,” he said, adding that he plans to institute a similar recycling program when he is president.

“It’s one of my requirements,” he said with authority.

Now there are containers in every classroom, in the cafeteria and at the end of the hallway on the second floor of Park Lodge. Students and staff steadily drop off drink pouches, yogurt containers, inkjet cartridges, gum wrappers, wine corks and more. Some of the items are specific, such as packaging from Aveeno beauty products, Lunchables or Huggies diapers.

Leingang said that the response has been wonderful—and unexpected.

“It’s taken off like wildfire at our school and become bigger than I ever anticipated,” she said.

Each item has a monetary value—most are 2 cents—and once the required amount is collected in a category, Park Lodge ships the load off to be turned into eco-friendly products including tote bags, shower curtains and kites. The company pays for the shipping—in recycled boxes, of course—and Park Lodge will receive a check in June.

But that doesn’t mean that the recycling effort will end there.

Albert has another year left at Park Lodge, and he is emphatic that the program will continue once his days as a Dolphin are over.

“I think we could use the money to improve the school and add some things to the school,” he said.

Leingang said that the TerraCycle program has been beneficial on multiple levels.

“It’s been so encouraging for Albert,” she said. “He had an idea, somebody listened to him, made it happen, and now the whole school has come together.

“I wanted the kids to know that they had a voice—that they can make a difference.”

Those involved hope that community members will do the same by donating recyclables to Park Lodge’s project. A complete list of TerraCycle items can be found on the organization’s website; they can be dropped off at the school’s main office, 6300 100th St. SW.

Albert’s passion for the project isn’t surprising to Parrish, who calls him the most enthusiastic fourth grader she has seen in her 23 years of teaching.

“Any student who needs help, he’s there,” she said, adding that Albert has taken over teaching lessons when she has had to leave the room. “He’s a natural at it, and definitely a leader. I have not had a child capable of this before.”

Such skill is a good thing, given that Albert’s back-up plan—in case he doesn’t make it to the Oval Office—is to become an elementary-school teacher.

“I really want to help kids with learning,” he said, “so they can go on and have a good life.”