Students launch Mason County High recycling pilot; county pledges support

Two Mason County High School students, Griffin Martinez and Alex Brannon, presented an FCCLA sustainability project to the Mason County Fiscal Court on Feb. 13, describing a pilot recycling program that places bins in classrooms and hallways to increase convenience and participation.

Griffin said convenience was the biggest barrier: "people aren't gonna go out of their ways to just go and, like, enter somewhere to recycle," so the students placed bins where students already are. The students said the program has been in place about a week as a trial and already shows early use; they said organizing weekly collection logistics remains a challenge.

County staff told the court they will provide 10 larger receptacle bins and collect sorted material (glass, plastic #1, plastic #2, cardboard and aluminum) to be baled and transported to regional recycling centers. The project was described as a public‑private partnership model the county hopes to test in other dense employment or institutional settings if the pilot succeeds.

The court praised the students and FCCLA advisors, noted a grant written to support bin purchases, and encouraged continued partnership between the school and county recycling division. The court will monitor logistics and consider volunteer or county‑staff support for regular collection as the pilot continues.