A group of Thomas Hunter Middle School students learned the positive benefits of recycling at class held earlier this month at Central United Methodist Church, Mathews.

The class, called Creation Care, was hosted by members of the Central UMC and led by Michael Cannon. Benefits and costs were outlined. Students were told that Mathews County receives between $350-450 for every truckload of recycled newspaper and between $520-620 for each recycled cardboard container. For items not recycled, it costs the county $209 per truckload have the materials transported to a landfill.

Other positive benefits were also discussed. “By recycling, we save fuel, trees and habitat,” THMS science teacher Jerry Ligon said. “Recycling results in a great reduction of fuel cost relative to the cost making paper from trees.” Students were told that three medium-sized trees are necessary to provide oxygen for each individual. “By not cutting down trees, we save the habitat for t...