Falmouth High Teacher Gary Glick Named ‘Recycler of the Year’ by Regional Waste Systems

The Recycling Committee of Regional Waste Systems has named Gary Glick, an earth sciences teacher at Falmouth High School, its “Recycler of the Year” for his success at working with students to revitalize the school’s recycling program.

Recycling Committee Chair Susan McGinty presented the award to Glick at the recent RWS annual meeting. Each year, the volunteer committee honors an individual, group or corporation that has increased or improved recycling in southern Maine. Ruth’s Reusable Resource Center in Scarborough received the award last year.

This year, the Recycling Committee was most impressed by Glick’s dedication to reducing the waste stream and his ability to engage students in the process. Under his leadership, the school’s Environmental Action Committee has enriched students by helping them make a difference in their community.

Students on the committee have designed and maintained a model collection system at the high school; created outreach programs at the elementary school; assisted the Town of Falmouth in its solid waste management programs; participated in an annual coastal cleanup; and built a greenhouse at the high school, complete with a composter.

“Gary Glick’s efforts in the area of recycling and reuse are top notch, but what really stood out for us was his ability to make a connection with his students,” said McGinty, a Cumberland resident. “The students have gone above and beyond to make positive changes in their school environment and the entire community. You can’t help but marvel at their accomplishments.”

Glick, a Portland resident, has been a teacher for 10 years. Nine years ago, he took over the high school recycling program and has worked to improve and enhance it ever since. Today, with the help of dedicated students, the program significantly reduces the solid waste stream at the high school while remaining financially self-sufficient.

In addition, students and other members of the Environmental Action Committee work on projects aimed at making major changes in policies and systems both local and globally.

Examples include working with the school district to implement a switch from Styrofoam to paper plates; researching and then convincing the school board to use photocopier paper made with recycled fiber for the upcoming school year; and presenting findings about the proper disposal of mercury water to a legislative committee in Augusta.

“My work with this committee further confirms my belief that educational experiences of high value occur outside of the classroom, and are an equally essential component in the learning process,” Glick said. “The credit really should go to the students who are committed to making a difference.”

The “Recycler of the Year” award is part of an annual recognition program initiated by RWS to promote and encourage recycling in the region. RWS also has a recycling mascot called “Reggie” who is available for public and school events, and a recycling display for towns to use at fairs, events and in town offices.

Regional Waste Systems is a non-profit solid waste management corporation that is owned and controlled by 21 cities and towns, and also has six associate member towns. RWS also is the largest municipal recycling organization in the state. Established in 1974 after Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough decided to form a cooperative to handle their waste disposal, today RWS is governed by a 28-member board, consisting of officials appointed from member towns.

Communities served by RWS are: Corporate Members - Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Gray, Harrison, Hollis, Limington, Lyman, North Yarmouth, Ogunquit, Portland, Pownal, Scarborough, South Portland, Waterboro, Windham, and Yarmouth; Associate Members – Baldwin, Hiram, Naples, Parsonsfield, Porter, Standish.

RWS accepts solid waste and recycled materials from these communities and also has a comprehensive, state-of-the-art recycling program with more than 100 recycling bins in 60 locations. For additional information on RWS, visit the RWS web site, www.regionalwaste.org.

# # #