What happens to our recyclables after they’re collected? Barry University students in the Biology Department’s Environmental Science course explored that question during two field trips in South Florida led by Dr. Anita Zavodska. They visited the Waste Management Recycling Plant in Pembroke Pines on September 29 and the South Dade Landfill on October 13.

For students early in their academic careers, these visits offered a chance to see environmental science in action. Classroom discussions about waste and its impact on the environment took on new meaning as students observed the equipment, processes and challenges involved in managing the community’s waste.

“I learned how much waste our community produces every day and how the landfill manages it responsibly,” said student Jada Crispin. Seeing the large trucks and compactors at work also gave students a better sense of the scale of landfill operations.

The recycling plant visit offered a closer look at what happens to waste after collection. Student Jude Taylor shared, “I learned that not all waste can be disposed of together,” noting that watching how garbage is managed and separated helped build their understanding of the process.

For Majestie Michel, seeing the relationship between waste and wildlife was especially memorable. “I learned how landfills manage waste and how trash can affect wildlife,” Michel said. Observing birds near the waste also reinforced the importance of responsible disposal and reducing the amount of trash entering the environment.

Together, the field trips gave students a more complete picture of the journey waste takes through local waste management systems, along with a better understanding of the environmental challenges communities face and the importance of addressing them.