The initiative kicked off on March 2 and will run through April 22 Earth Day bringing together students, staff, and the broader New Ulm community in a shared effort to reduce plastic waste.

From the start, the effort is “all hands on deck.” Classrooms across the school have been actively collecting, sorting, and preparing plastic materials for recycling. The competition aspect has added excitement, with students motivated not only by the environmental cause but also by friendly rivalry between groups.

In just a few weeks, the impact has been significant. River Bend students have already collected over 1,422 pounds of plastic.

Community partnerships have played a key role in the program’s success. Local business Dittrich Specialties has stepped up to support students by donating plastic materials, helping boost collection totals and reinforcing the importance of local collaboration.

Elijah Nelson 12th grader sorting plastic in the classroom for the recycling challenge Photo by Elise Cronin

Once collected and sorted, the plastic is transported to Hy-Vee, where it is prepared for pickup by recycling partners affiliated with the NexTrex program. These materials are then repurposed into composite decking products, giving new life to items that might otherwise end up in landfills.

River Bend educators say the project is about more than just recycling it’s about building real-world skills and environmental awareness. Students are learning responsibility, teamwork, and the impact of small actions on a larger scale.

As Earth Day approaches, River Bend students continue to push toward their collection goals, demonstrating that meaningful change can start at the local level with a little plastic and a lot of teamwork.