By Abigail Kim 

At first glance, recycling bins seem like a small, somewhat insignificant addition to our school campus—but for the Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Sustainability Club, they represent nearly 18 months of persistence, planning, and passion for protecting the environment.

Founded by sophomores Joely Kim and McKinley Park, the club aims to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and make measurable change within our school. Recently, the club has been able to implement a formal recycling program on our very own campus.

Through collaboration with administration, the club was able to advocate for their mission to keep our campus sustainable and imported recycling bins from Canada. According to state environmental policy, schools are required by law to have recycling bins. However, many, including GHC, do not. That gap was what inspired Kim and her fellow board members to step up and take action.

“It began my freshman year,” Kim said. “A few other board members and I put together a proposal and presented it to the administration. It took a lot of follow-up, meetings, and logistical planning, but we finally got it approved. It was a real team effort.”

The new recycling system is a lot more than just bins. It’s the first step towards their broader vision of creating an environmentally conscious school community.

“I hope the recycling system raises awareness and encourages students to be more mindful of their waste,” Kim said. “It’s a tangible step toward making our campus more eco-friendly and fostering a culture of sustainability among youth.”

In addition to their recycling initiative, the club has brought in guest speakers such as representatives from TreePeople, a nonprofit focused on environmental advocacy and urban forestry in order to educate others about the importance of being sustainable. However, the club’s vision extends beyond that.

They’re currently organizing the California Environmental Youth Council, a new statewide initiative designed to connect young sustainability advocates and empower them to lead environmental action within their communities. In addition, they’re launching their own school-wide recycling how-to guide.

Looking ahead, the club hopes to expand their efforts even further. “In the next year or two, we want to increase the percentage of school products being recycled to 70% or more,” said Kim. “We also hope to help other schools start similar programs, using our club as a model.”

Ultimately, the GHC Sustainability Club isn’t just about recycling bins. It’s about creating a lasting culture of environmental responsibility, right here, one student and one initiative at a time.