Lexington County student’s art from recyclables displayed at several prominent locations

Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – Recently, some art in the form of a giant firefly that was made from Lexington County recycled material and sculpted by some local high school students was displayed at the Congaree National Park during the annual firefly season. Now, it’s on the way to the Edventure Children’s Museum where it will be displayed as well.

According to Richard VanDerGeest, Recycling Coordinator for Lexington County’s Department of Solid Waste, the sculpture of a firefly was made by Marion Mason’s students at White Knoll High School. The larger than life firefly was made of plastic soda bottles, cardboard, and other materials that might have ended up in landfills if not otherwise used for art projects or the manufacture of items that can use post-consumer waste.

Realistically, art projects such as these use a small amount of recyclable material. However, their function is really to call attention to the need to recycle. The work itself instills in the students the importance of recycling as it does in many others who see the artwork.

Lexington County, its citizens, and its solid waste division, have been recognized many times for the great job they all do in reducing the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills. They regularly recycle plastics, cardboard, metals, aluminum, electronics, organics like tree limbs and leaves, old bedding, used oils, and many other post-consumer items. They also participate in several special events throughout the year where they assist other agencies in collecting pesticides and other hazardous materials for disposal in the proper way.