Field trips are the best. Learning firsthand outside the classroom was always met with anticipation as our teachers at District 1 announced upcoming outings. A bit of that youthful excitement returns, still, whenever I find myself on a tour (grownup field trip) for Keep Alliance Beautiful.
Previously, as managing editor at the Alliance Times-Herald, and in my current capacity as KAB recycling coordinator, I have conducted tours for children on field trips as well as interested adults. Both past and present workplaces piqued enough public interest that people wanted to see that industry in action locally. Did their perception of journalism or recycling change as the latest group filed out the door? It could be the instance was the first opportunity a class of fourth graders had to learn how a printing press puts a color photograph on the front page or why the recycling center bales certain materials and ships others in totes.
Before autumn even arrived on the calendar, KAB hosted its first students of the 2024-25 academic year. Carlie Foster, KAB education coordinator, texted me a heads up weeks in advance. I have become comfortable showing visitors around, so every occasion varies a bit taking into account the audience. This time, instead of a certain class walking from a bus down the block, we waited in the sunshine as families from the Alliance homeschool co-op gathered in the alley. Just over two dozen of a possible 30 students found their way to 107 ½ Cheyenne Avenue without phoning a friend for further directions.
The cooperative chose KAB for its first field trip of the year as well. A typical month features two outings. Several elementary-age girls had a number of questions as there was plenty to see that Tuesday including Jelly from Keep Chadron Beautiful pulling up with a full trailer and our crew tying up and ejecting a bale of cardboard. Not many hands went up when asked whether their families recycle. However, some of the children mentioned what their grandparents keep out of the trash.
Hosting a group of children means an opportunity to educate and inspire. I explain where the material goes as they see how we sort and process everything. After seeing what happens to what they may have thought of as trash they may convince their families to at least try recycling. When I was their age a field trip often prompted me to find out more about the topic and even add what would become a lifelong interest.
Importantly, field trips and tours show off what a particular community has to offer. Alliance is unique in that we operate the only recycling center between Scottsbluff and Rapid City, South Dakota. KAB accepts some materials other communities do not with free recycling for residents and businesses.
Leadership Box Butte County, an Alliance Chamber of Commerce program, opened my eyes to what we have here. While participating during the late1990s we often visited at least two businesses or local attractions per month. Upon graduating I joined the steering committee and helped plan the agriculture day in particular. I thought teaching people about our core industry was important then just as I strive to tell people about recycling now.
Come down to the recycling center anytime and we will take a few minutes to show you around. What we do is not complicated, yet what we sort and process every day takes the first step to becoming something new instead of just more trash in the landfill.