We have already introduced to you Mr. Rudolf Kuttesch, the coordinating teacher of the Recycling Patrol of the School in Izbiceni. It was this March, when he impressed us with the collected WEEE amount at the mid-term report of the program.  Now, with 12,100  kg of WEEE collected along the school year, the youngsters in Izbiceni and their teachers are acknowledged by the whole country as recycling champions.

The two national prizes and a local one won at the 2013 edition is a premiere for the program and a new record that the participants aspire to.

Discipline, perseverance and personal example, the ingredients of a success recipe

Every Patrol has certainly established its own collection procedures that we appreciate.  The impressive results of the participants in Izbiceni make us curious to find out … how can it be done? Let’s see their „recipe”.

First: you need a very motivated teacher.

”I believed from the very beginning in this project and I knew that we could win if we managed to achieve every activity, if we made every wheel of this system to go in a German way, so that the circle closed at the end.” 

Then: you have to communicate thoroughly and clearly the objectives of the program to as many youngsters as possible.

”We presented the children in kindergarten, primary and secondary school the goal of this comprehensive action at the national and local level. We organized a meeting at the Culture Center „Tudor Gheorghe” in our small town.  Starting from RoRec’s leaflets and videos, we  debated the most important elements about WEEE separate collection, recycling and resource saving.”

We come to the key point: you select a group of hard-working, motivated agents who care about nature and their community. You see that Mr. Kuttesch, visual arts teacher, does not only encourage the creativity of children, but he also mobilizes them with a „military” strictness!

”Every student in my class kept in touch and coordinated the Recycling patrol in another class. I used the training principle of the great armies of the world: one good soldier trains other 10, who, in their turn, train 10 others each and so on.” So, what do you think so far?

Every WEEE is collected separately

To collect 12,100 kg of e-waste is not an easy thing. After the team was set, they had to start with public awareness campaigns on the threats WEEE poses, meaning disseminating flyers and going from door to door or sending messages through the local TV station. The patrol’s initiatives counted on the support of teachers, students and parents. No neighbor, relative or friend was left without a good training on how to dispose of the old home appliances.

The members of Recicleanu Family visiting the houses in Izbiceni and other small towns or villages took the right way of environment protection. And kilograms started to add up …

”During the 37 years I have been teaching I have noticed that there is no greater motivation for the students than the personal example, the honest and open debate of all issues of the respective project, the thoroughness, and perseverance. I have students who,  with the support of their parents, collected alone more than 900 kg of WEEE. ” reveals teacher Kuttesch.

At the same time, they used „unconventional weapons” of communication and promotion of their mission: a photo contest, a ”face-painting” workshop, a mascot design, and the organization of the „Hard-working Hands Holiday”.

It is worth mentioning an important thing: although they saw that they were far ahead the other participants, they did not stop, slow their pace and wait for the crown. They fought until the last day not to overrun the others but to overrun themselves, to see how high they can climb. Their target was 10,000 WEEE kg and they collected over 12,000.

”It is the merit of all students, teachers and parents and not only. Beyond the 12 tons of WEEE, I think the most important was the educational part of this project.” says teacher Rudolf Kuttesch.

We have in the Recycling Patrol in Izbiceni an inspiring example of performance, dedication and fair play. The joy of discovering the winners and their successes does not end here. All summer long, we will make a symbolic tour through the country to offer you stories from the winners. Are you ready for the ride?