The sound of crinkling cans rumbles inside a black trash bag as they clash together. Fast footsteps and the rolling cart carrying a bag filled with 50 or more cans create a familiar reverberation that echoes through the hallways for students and teachers alike. Every day, at exactly 12:05 p.m., Ballard resident Kris Norby stops by classrooms to pick up cans.
“[I come] just about every day,” Norby said. “I get here at about noon, and then I leave at about 1:30 p.m. after second lunch.”
Norby has collected cans for over two decades at our school. Anyone who’s spent time in the school knows her presence is more than just a routine.
“This is an integral part of her life that she has become,”Eric Blazeic, CTE and Academy of Finance Teacher said. “This is her. This is how she identifies herself. The way the students treat Kris with respect, even some of the most difficult, hardcore kids, will have honest, polite conversations with her everyday.”
Norby’s path to collecting cans at our school began after her workplace, Value Village, shut down. While looking for a new job, her simple act of kindness of regularly picking up cans in the neighborhood changed everything.
“I was just walking around the neighborhood [picking up cans], and a custodian saw me and welcomed me in the building,” Norby said. “The principal, Mr. Chin, at the time said, ‘come every day if you want.’ He gave me permission [to collect cans here].”
Over the years, Norby has interacted with both students and teachers on a daily basis. The brief conversations have become part of her daily visits.
“I like the students here,” Norby said. “We talk about the weather, like when it’s raining. They’re friendly, outgoing. Couple of them seem real grown up for their age.”
After picking up cans, Norby follows a set process of preparing them for recycling. Every month, her friend drives her downtown where her company, Pacific Iron & Metal, is located.
“I go home and crush them using a can crusher,” Norby said. “Then, I clean up the house and just do basic stuff around. I have to turn the cans in [monthly] and get money, so that helps me buy basics.”
As a life-long Seattleite, Ingraham High School graduate and current Ballard resident, Norby has spent her entire life in the neighborhood. Having to live independently for most of her life, her work at Ballard has been her main source of joy and purpose. Above all, it has been her place to come out of her shell.
“My parents passed away, and then I’ve been on my own,” Norby said. “It’s been about 20 years,” Norby said. “I was a shy person as a child, and it’s [collecting cans at school] helped me come out of my attitude of not being shy.”
Though Norby has considered working full-time as part of the janitorial staff, she prefers to remain in her current role collecting cans at school. Her daily routine brings her a different kind of social connection she cherishes and looks forward to every day.
“I live alone, so I don’t see too many people outside of school,” Norby said. “The teachers and students are friendly and outgoing…I like being around people. I’m just happy dealing with cans.”
