The increasing amount of trash in the parking lot and surrounding areas of Durango High School has raised significant concerns among students, staff, and community members. Fast-food wrappers, soda cans, and snack bags have become common sights, detracting from the school’s environment and creating discussions about the shared responsibility of maintaining a clean community.
Reports indicate that some students discard trash irresponsibly, especially from their vehicles. Instances of litter being tossed out of car windows while parked or driving have been noted, which not only contributes to the mess but also harms the environment and community. As noted by Cole Christianson, “We have plenty of recycling bins and trash cans placed around the school so that it’s easy to dispose of trash.” This sentiment underscores the frustration many feel regarding the lack of accountability for waste disposal.
Janitorial staff regularly clean up the litter, yet their hard work often goes unrecognized. Ms. Haley, a Demon Den teacher, shared, “I would say I see trash every day, especially in the parking lots and sometimes in the building. I frequently have to throw away stuff from people’s lunches that they leave behind.” This situation raises the question of why students do not take more personal responsibility for their waste. The presence of numerous trash and recycling bins seems insufficient if students continue to ignore them.
School officials are urging students to take pride in their campus. Ms. Haley suggests that making trash bins more accessible could help: “Making things easier always helps improve things, so I think if we did have more bins easily accessible then that might help reduce some. But I do also think there needs to be an education component, and maybe that means that we do regular trash pick-ups where the whole school goes out and cleans up to recognize that if they do leave trash behind somebody’s got to pick it up.”
Students also share their thoughts on the situation. Moses Vogel remarked, “There have been multiple times where I have flocked around looking for a trash can that wasn’t full for too long,” highlighting the frustration of finding bins that are unusable. He adds, “I think that outside there should be more availability to trash cans,” advocating for an increase in accessible waste disposal options. He also believes that more advertisement for the school’s green team could promote better waste management practices.
Additionally, Christianson emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing, stating, “It’s just a matter of doing the right thing.” This reflects a shared understanding among students of their responsibility to maintain their environment.
To foster a cleaner and more inviting school environment, all members of the Durango High School community are encouraged to pick up after themselves and respect the shared space. The article concludes with a commitment to organizing clean-up events and promoting awareness about the importance of a trash-free campus.
Students are reminded that a cleaner school reflects positively on everyone and enhances the community’s overall image.
Stay tuned for updates regarding clean-up events and initiatives that promote a cleaner school environment. Collective action is essential to instill a sense of pride and responsibility among students.
