11/14/2025
On Friday, Nov. 7, the Fremont Union High School District’s Climate Collective—a group of students passionate about addressing environmental challenges—visited the Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station in hopes of gaining new insights on waste management and recycling.
Students of the FUHSD Climate Collective were invited to the center to learn about how trash is collected, sorted and processed. The field trip consisted of a brief introduction of how the center separates waste, followed by a guided tour of the facility. Students observed the machines and the newly integrated robots that organize trash. The experience helped students recognize the impact of consumption and allowed them to gain first-hand understanding on modern waste management.
“Following this field trip, I aim to highlight waste management within the realm of green career possibilities for students,” senior and Site Co-Lead Ira Lele said. “The knowledge gained from the field trip can be easily applied to our district’s student-led recycling program and data collection.”
Keeping the goals of the Climate Collective in mind, students part of the organization aim to raise awareness on the realities of waste accumulation and inspire other students to take action towards a more sustainable and greener future.
For Lele this trip was more than an educational experience — it was also a moment of realization about the scale of waste and the importance of being proactive. “All this trash is just one town, in one day, and that might seem overwhelming. The idea that each bottle we throw away can accumulate to such an extent is scary,” Lele reflected. “Yet in the same way, can one small step in the right direction not lead to something much, much greater? Don’t see these photos and get discouraged. Instead, get inspired, get connected, and stay resilient.”
Photos and reporting by and Emily Chen
