On the last Saturday of each month, Greenwood Elementary School in Perry County becomes a sorting-ground for newspapers, cans, and bottles. Dropping off recyclables is voluntary in the county, and so is participation in the collection and sorting process.

According to Greenwood Township supervisor, and area recycling coordinator Brenda Benner, the volunteer aspect of the program has been surprisingly successful.

"There's no other program that I know of in the entire county that involves as many volunteers as the recycling program," says Benner. "And I think when people are involved, they're more likely to support the programs and to recycle themselves."

School children, church groups, and scouts are frequent volunteers in the program. Vicki Hogan is a Cub Scout pack leader whose boys, ranging in age from 8 to 11, volunteer several times a year.

"I think its great," Hogan says. "And as far as our boys go, it's giving them a sense of giving something back to the community without getting paid for it or getting a reward. But they're really enjoying it."

Lindsay Troop is president of Greenwood High School's National Honor Society, and another regular recycling volunteer. "We feel, as a club, that we like to be involved in the community and do some community service," says Troop. "This is an easy way for us to get involved and to do something. And it really can help the environment and it can make you feel better about yourself and what you're doing."

Coordinator Brenda Benner says there's an upside to using young volunteers. "One thing we have found is that by involving the scouts and the schoolchildren," she explains, "that when they learn how to sort the products, they go home and teach their parents. And their parents are much more likely to begin recycling."

With seven other drop-off locations in Perry County, Benner says residents never have to drive more than a few miles out of their way to recycle.