By: Jada Blackwell

  The Environmental Club, a student-led organization, is focused on the environment around the school. The students focus on raising awareness about the environment, climate change, biodiversity and pollution. They do this by promoting environmental issues to their peers and helping them create a stronger relationship with the earth. Whether it is organizing group cleanups, recycling campaigns or speaking about climate change, the students work hard to make the environment better. 

   Sponsored by the science teacher, Ms. Kol, the Environmental Club is committed to promoting the environment’s health and encouraging good practices to teach the students. 

   “One of the big tasks in the Environmental Club is to help maintain green school status, which is a Maryland program that the state essentially gives schools that state if they’re doing various sustainable activities,” expressed Mrs. Kol. 

   Marriotts Ridge High School first became a green school in 2013 and was recertified in 2018 and 2022. The next recertification will be in 2026. 

     Environmental issues, including global warming and climate change, affect everyone. With the Environmental Club, students have the power to discuss the importance of raising awareness of these issues. Students are able to help the planet, learn more and learn valuable advocacy skills. 

   “My concern is that recycling may not stick around if we continue to not recycle properly, all that stuff goes to the recycling centers and they have to sort through all that”, said Mrs Kol

   When waste is not recycled properly, that waste ends up in our environment and landfills. 

   “If filled with contaminants, whoever is buying the materials to recycle whether it is a carpet company or the company that is using plastic fibers for the filling of a jacket, if it is contaminated with chewing gum and tissues, they’re not going to want to buy that product,” stated Mrs. Kol.

   The Environmental Club gives students an opportunity to learn more about the environment and awareness activities, including art installations that bring awareness in a creative way. Last year, the students made jellyfish out of plastic bags and hung them along the ceiling. The students also made posters next to them to provide awareness. 

   The Environmental Club is a student-run group where the students are passionate about wanting to help the community through various activities such as recycling, educational campaigns, replanting and nurturing gardens.

   *If you are interested in joining the Environmental Club, please see Mrs. Kol in room 246.