Growls

Each Saturday, the editorial staff of the Washington Times awards its “Nobles and Knaves” of the week. Yesterday, their Nobles were a group of:

“Arlington sixth-graders who led a curbside-pickup recycling program during their free time.” (emphasis added)

Here is how the Times’ editorial explained their selection for Nobles of the Week:

“When students at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program noticed litter clogging up Windy Run stream, they wanted to help clean it up. But what they actually accomplished was much more impressive. First, they determined that Arlington's drop-off recycling program wasn't working. They surveyed local parents and found that the options available to residents — which included hauling recyclables to a facility and sometimes paying fees for discarded electronics — were leading many to simply toss their unwanted goods.

“The students then planned their own program: "We'll Bring it to You." Last March, the kids — with the help of some high-school students, parents and teachers — provided their own recycling pickup service. The Arlington County Board even waived the fees for recycling electronics. Not only did they help clean up their town, but the students were also awarded the Mid-Atlantic region's 2007 President's Environmental Youth Award from the Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Staples Earth Force Award, which earned the school $1,000. They will be honored at award ceremonies in March and April.

“For showing that every little bit helps in cleaning up the environment, the sixth-graders at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program are the Nobles of the Week.”

Let’s hope the county employees who are paid to design and operate the county’s recycling programs learn a thing or two from these Nobles of the Week.