UMM Students Raise Recycling Awareness
MACHIAS, Maine – University of Maine at Machias students and the local Bay Area Transfer Station recently joined forces in an effort to raise recycling awareness. The event was intended to kickoff “Maine Recycles Week,” held November 8–15 across the state.
Students in UMM’s Social Psychology class spent the weekend of November 6–7 at the Bay Area Transfer Station in Machias educating the community about recycling. In addition to assisting patrons with sorting their recyclables, the students helped spread the word about the facility’s acceptance of #1–7 plastics, a recent change in the past year. Many Washington County residents were also surprised to learn that they could recycle at the Machias facility, no matter what town they reside in.
The project was a perfect example of UMM’s Service Learning/Community Engagement initiative, aimed at providing students with out-of-the-classroom experiences in the local community.
As a “thank you” to anyone who recycled that weekend, patrons were entered into a drawing for a variety of items donated by local businesses. More than 200 people signed up for the drawing, which produced the following winners:
Helen’s Gift Certificate: Terry Colbeth
Christmas Wreath from Parlins: Kristin Polk
“Free Lunch” at Whole Life Foods: Kathryn Balteff
UMM Stainless Steel Water Bottle & Reusable Grocery Bag: Barbara Koch, Bill Jordan, and Muriel Watts
Bluebird Ranch Restaurant Jam & Dressing: Steven Tilney
E-Bay Store Gift Certificate: Rich Bard
Bay Area Transfer Station 10 – 20 gal bags: Steve Harrington
Bay Area Transfer Station 10 – 30 gal bags: Jon Mallar
Machias Savings Bank Reusable Grocery Bags: Carolyn Gillis, Terry Cole, Jen Lobley, Miranda Richardson, Craig Lithgow, and Neal Sawich
