Seeing is Believing! SEAL Students See the Real Deal at Bayshore Recycling!

SEAL students and COA staff with Bayshore Recycling's
VP of Operations, Gary (center left), and Operations
Manager, Michael (center right)

Do you know the meaning of the three arrows in the recycling symbol? Gary Sondermeyer, Vice President of Operations at Bayshore Recycling Center, has the answer. This month, Gary spoke with the Student Environmental Advocates & Leaders (SEAL) program students to teach them the history and current status of recycling in New Jersey. This informational and insightful presentation was followed by a tour of the recycling facility a few weeks later, giving the students an exciting opportunity to put what they learned into perspective! 

From standing next to massive bundles of recycled material to watching advanced machinery separate specific materials, the students learned firsthand what happens to recyclables from the time they are used to the time they are sold for their next life cycle. 

This educational field trip reinforces and enhances the students’ knowledge of the importance of practicing proper recycling habits and lessening our consumption of single use materials. Education on this topic is central to many of the SEALs environmental advocacy projects and critical for keeping our oceans clean and marine life healthy. 

Thank you to Gary Sondermeyer, Michael Oppelt and the whole Bayshore Recycling team for educating the SEAL students for the third consecutive year—it remains a true program highlight. This support of COA’s educational programs allows us all to continue this ripple effect of sharing knowledge and diving into proper recycling and disposal practices in our own communities!