Recycling & Composting Program

Because foundational habits form early, we focused on schools as the starting point for long-term change. While 89.2% of students agreed that recycling benefits the environment, the barrier was never belief. It was access. Survey data from 1,050 students across Pike County high schools made the gap clear: 79.7% never recycled at school, and 71.4% cited a lack of bins as the primary reason. To coordinate funding, materials, volunteers, and school partnerships under one student-led organization, founder Anikaa Sharma created the nonprofit Future Forward.

Launching the program required funding for bins, labels, and materials, so we presented the project to local boards and businesses. Once funding was secured, recycling and composting bins were sourced from locations across Kentucky and Ohio. Jaded Rayne donated custom labels recognizing local sponsors, and the Pike County Extension Office printed flyers and educational materials.

What began at Pikeville High School has grown into a county-wide waste reduction system. Principals identified high-traffic locations, while student service clubs set up bins and encouraged correct sorting. Volunteers collect recyclables and compostables for safe, consistent transport between locations. Through their own initiative, students have made recycling and composting part of the everyday school environment.