Libby High School senior named 'Environmental Hero'

Libby High School senior Sarah McBride was selected by Lincoln County Environmental Health as a Lincoln County Environmental Hero for her work to promote recycling efforts at Libby Middle/High School.

McBride revived a flagging recycling program at the school and said she wants to expand the program to a partnership with the broader community to expand the recycling program in the city.

“There was a plan already in place, but it was being overlooked,” McBride said in a press release from Lincoln County Environmental Health. “My goal is for people to be wired to recyle. I know that won’t happen overnight, so I hope with the right colorful propaganda, people will slowly start to think that way. If you learn younger, you will carry it into your adult life.”

McBride said she wants to build a recycling bin center in the school’s parking lot and is trying to get a cardboard recycling bin at Burger Express on U.S. Highway 2 in Libby. She is also trying to start a recycling club at the high school in hopes of seeing the work continue once she graduates.

She plans to attend the University of Montana to study education and English as a second language. She hopes to travel to impoverished communities around the world to teach English as a career.

Jennifer McCully, with Lincoln County Environmental Health, said the environmental health department received many nominations, all of which she characterized as “amazing,” but McBride’s “in particular rose to the top.”

“Sarah is very excited about recycling,” McCully said. “And very passionate about getting other people to jump on board.”