Students Get Futuristic Lesson About Recycling
Students at West Hollywood Elementary School got a visit from a “time traveler” in a silver suit Wednesday as the county Department of Public Works launched an effort to teach children about recycling.
Ginger Vadurro, the department’s director of environmental programs, said the educational program features an actor portraying “Al Luminum,” a character from the 22nd century who has returned to Earth to teach children about the benefits of recycling.
The program, called “Environmental Defenders” after the animated characters who accompany Al Luminum on videotape, will attempt to reach 2,100 countywide schools--or about 800,000 children--in three years.
Vadurro said that educating students about the positive results of recycling is part of the county’s effort to reduce solid waste to 50% of 1990 levels by the year 2000, in accordance with state law.
In the course of the 30-minute performance and discussion, students in kindergarten through sixth grade learn the importance of recycling paper, glass, aluminum and hazardous household products.
“They’re the ones who will make the difference we’re looking for in the future,” Vadurro said.
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