Lynn school holds recycling program

LYNN – These days it seems everyone is “going green” in an effort to preserve the environment, but students at the North Shore Christian School in Lynn have some extra motivation – learn to recycle and cut down on the use of non-renewable resources, or face the wrath of the “Bag Monster.”Made up of dozens of one-time-use plastic grocery bags, the Bag Monster is a representation of the piles of plastic stored under the sinks or in the storage closets of millions of Americans who have gotten into the habit of taking home groceries in the non-biodegradable bags.At NSCS, Bag Monster is the alter ego of Nancy Hatfield, a parent of two students at the school, who is trying to raise awareness – and a little money for the school – in recognition of America Recycles Day this Saturday.For the second straight year, the school is working in partnership with the Chino Bag Company from California. Chino sells reusable canvas bags, similar to those purchased in a grocery store, that fold into a small square that can fit in a pants pocket. The school has partnered with the company to both educate students on the importance of recycling and to sell the bags as a fundraiser this month.The Bag Monster suit that Hatfield has been donning is on loan from the Chino Company and is made up of 500 plastic grocery bags, the estimated amount that a family will consume in a single year.”We are just trying to raise awareness to families about the single use bags and how we are trying to do away with that,” said Hatfield. “The kids really like it, it is definitely something that has captured their attention.”Along with Hatfield’s Bag Monster costume, the Chino Company has provided materials for the classroom, along with an educational video on the importance of recycling and re-using bags at the grocery store.With recycle bins in every classroom, NSCS works in partnership with the city to recycle paper and cardboard year-round that the school. The new lesson is designed to plant a seed in students’ heads so they can go home and encourage their parents to do the same in their houses to continue the chain of recycling.”The kids are big into recycling,” said Hatfield. “It is great to see how the little kids are into it and how they want to go home and influence their parents.”