Sustainably Speaking: Appleton students get hands-on look at recycling process

APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Students at Appleton North High School recently visited the Tri-County Recycling Facility to learn about the recycling process and how materials can be properly sorted and reused.

The educational sessions include a classroom demonstration explaining what can and cannot be recycled and why. Students also receive an in-depth presentation on the recycling process and its environmental benefits. The visit includes a guided tour of the facility, where students can observe conveyors with workers sorting trash and recyclables, as well as machines that separate metals, broken glass, and other non-recyclable materials. A highlight for many students was the facility's newest technology: an artificial intelligence sorting system that identifies items that cannot be recycled.