PCIS Students Open a Recycling Center in Gorgona

The High School students of Panama Coast International School have announced the Grand Opening of VeVerde, the first ever recycling center in Gorgona!  We met with them to find our more…Reporter: You are opening a recycling center!  How did you come up with the idea?Robert:Well, we knew that we wanted to do something to help our community and we have to do a project for school so we decided to work together to do something positive for Gorgona.  We sat around one day thinking of things that need to be done around here.  The list was long!  We all agreed that seeing trash all over the place was one of the biggest issues so we brainstormed ideas about what we could do.  We thought of just picking up trash regularly, but knew that was only a temporary solution as people would just throw more trash after we picked it up.  We realized that we needed to educate people about ways not to throw trash all around so we thought we should teach them about recycling. But there was nowhere to take the recyclables so we then decided to build a recycling center and asked the teachers if we could.  They said, “Of course!”

Reporter: What did you have to do to prepare for next week’s Grand Opening?

Tao: We contacted recycling companies and we selected Recimetal to work with.  They agreed to come by and pick up the materials that we collect.  We planned a building and got help from the community and materials to building the structure.  Then we built it.  We cleaned it up and put bins in it.  We are now painting the name on it and trying to advertise.



Reporter: What does the name VeVerde mean?

Keola: VeVerde means “See Green” or “Go Green.”



Reporter: Can anyone participate in your program?

Keola: Yes! Locals and visitors can bring their recyclables!



Reporter: How can someone contact you if they have more questions?

Keola: Our email is VeVerdePanama@hotmail.com!



Reporter: What would you like to tell our readers that plan to bring their recyclables to your center?

Kathrina:The recycling center will be open Tuesdays from 8 to 9 in the morning and Thursdays from 2 to 3.  To get to the center, enter Gorgona on the main road.  After a mile, the school is on the left.  The recycling center is on the side road that runs next to the school.  People can bring plastic, glass, aluminum, cardboard, and paper.  The materials must be clean and it would be helpful if it is separated.  Just drive up to the center and we will help unload the recyclables.



Reporter: What do you see as the future of the VeVerde Center?

Tao: We hope to get a lot of donations and become a successful recycling center!  We expect to see less trash in the community.  Someday we hope all local schools will open their own recycling centers based on our model.



Reporter: Thank you for spending time with me today and we wish you great success in your endeavor!



All students:  Thank you!