Go Green Team Recycled SAMA Back to School Fair Packaging Waste

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Corrugated cardboard boxes headed to city recycling center. Glue sticks and scissors purchased in bulk reduces wasteful packaging.

For the thirteenth year, Stockton United Methodist Go Green Team collected recyclable school supplies packaging waste during the annual Back to School Fair setup Friday morning, Aug. 7 and during the fair Saturday morning, Aug. 8.

According to Pastor Michael Tunnel, Stockton Area Ministerial Alliance (SAMA) gave away school supplies to 638 students. As he orders more school supplies in bulk, the volume of packaging waste declines. Most notably this year, little plastic waste was recycled or sent to the landfill.

Of all the packaging waste generated by school supplies for 638 students, only about a 60-gallon bag could not be recycled and was landfilled.

All of the collapsed cardboard boxes from both mornings filled the back of an SUV plus about half a pickup bed. Go Green Team volunteers delivered it to the Stockton city recycling center.

Go Green Team volunteers set out and picked up recycling units to collect plastic beverage bottles and aluminum cans in the circle driveway and in the cafeteria; collected none.

Go Green Team members passionately recycle as a response to God dedicating humankind to tend and care for God’s good creation. Kim Jasper, Pastor Daniel and June Na, Glenna Hinde, Mary Anne Manring, and Marcia Hornbeck devoted their time to set this inspiring example of recycling school supplies packaging waste as an act of Christian discipleship.

The Go Green Team is part of the SUMC Creation Care Ministry. Cheryl Marcum, ministry leader advocates, “Let’s act like we are made in God’s image and choose to consume less and recycle more. When we recycle, we imitate God’s creation design.” Visit https://www.stocktonumc.org/about-creation-care.