Tips for Rural School Waste Reduction & Recycling Success

Transcription

1 Tips for Rural School Waste Reduction & Recycling Success Athena Lee Bradley Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.

2 Acknowledgements The Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. (NERC) was awarded a United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utility Services Solid Waste Management Grant in 2009 to provide direct technical assistance & training in waste reduction, recycling, and composting to rural schools in Connecticut, New York, and Delaware. Eight schools participated in the project over the course of two years.

3 Disclaimer This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Utilities Programs, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the Utilities Programs.

4 NERC Resources for Schools This presentation is designed as a supplement to a companion document NERC s Rural School Recycling Success ( Many school waste reduction, recycling, & composting documents were developed by NERC as part of this project. Presentations & Tip Sheets are available for download at These documents include detailed information & resources to support school source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting efforts.

5 Recycling General Information

6 Why Recycle? Between 60-85% of school waste can be recycled or composted Recycling can lead to avoided waste disposal costs Recycling offers opportunities for interdisciplinary studies, service learning projects Reduced purchasing costs through reduction & reuse

7 Why Recycle, cont'd Recycling creates local & regional jobs Recycling conserves resources Made into new products from soda bottles to fleece jackets Recycling uses less energy than virgin materials Burning less fossil fuels = less greenhouse gases Fewer greenhouse gases = avoiding contributions to climate change

8 New Products Made from Recycled Materials Plastic Glass Metals Paper

9 Unique Obstacles to Rural Recycling Collection service options may be limited May be challenging to implement cost effective recycling collection due to lower volumes of recyclables

10 Getting Started Waste Reduction & Recycling

11 Step One: Form a Team Conduct a survey of faculty & staff Ask for interest, ideas, suggestions, & committee volunteers Find out who supports waste reduction & recycling Find out who is willing to make the time & commitment Get permission from school principal/district Superintendent

12 Form a Team, cont'd Include representatives from: Administration Faculty Custodial staff Cafeteria staff Parents Students Appoint coordinator or committee chair

13 Tips If implementing a team for a school district or multiple schools, include representatives from each school Look for ways to involve students in the recycling program Appropriate participation based upon grade level Fosters greater participation & success

14 Step Two: Conduct a Waste Assessment Identify materials to be targeted for reduction, reuse, recycling, composting Types & amounts of waste Where the waste is generated Identify locations for recycling containers Review current recycling & waste reduction efforts

15 Name of School: School Waste Assessment Form Key Contact: Date: Direct Phone number/extension: Number of students in the school: Number of teachers: Number of teacher/staff work areas & break rooms: Number of administrators & other staff: Grade levels: Cafeteria: Has a kitchen? Yes No Concession St&? Yes No Vending Machines - How many & where are they located? Location 1: Number: Aluminum cans Plastic bottles Milk cartons Other Location 2: Number: Aluminum cans Plastic bottles Milk cartons Other Location 3: Number: Aluminum cans Plastic bottles Milk cartons Other Are special or hazardous wastes produced by the school? (Such as in the Art rooms, Ceramics Lab, Jewelry Making Shop, Wood Shop, Automotive Shop, Photography Lab, Vocational Labs, etc.) Yes No If yes, see page 8. Custodial service Key Contact: Direct Phone: In-house Contracted Download the form from NERC s Website - Frequency of in-school waste collection: Daily Every other day Weekly Other: Waste Hauler: Key Contact: Phone: In-house Municipal service Contracted/Private hauler

16 What to Recycle

17 Paper All clean school paper is recyclable Copier paper Writing paper Colored paper Junk mail Newspapers & magazines Do not recycle Paper with glue, paint, stickers, glitter on it Tissues Paper towels

18 Cardboard Develop a collection & storage system Where is it generated? Who will be responsible for breaking it down? Where can it be stored? Cardboard can be stacked & stored in an outside shed or on pallets under plastic Must be kept clean & dry Flatten to conserve space Remove excess tape

19 Cardboard, cont'd If a recycling hauler collects school paper, likely will also take cardboard Sometimes cardboard & school paper can be stored together Often an outside cardboard dumpster will be provided by hauler Cardboard is usually accepted at recycling centers or transfer stations

20 Plastic Bottles Typically only plastics #1 (soda/water bottles) & #2 (milk containers) are recyclable Check with hauler & local recycling center to see if other plastics or aseptic containers are accepted Empty bottles of all liquid Bottles do not need to be rinsed Labels are okay Caps are okay Most likely plastic bottles will need to be taken to a recycling center Consider separating redeemable containers from non-redeemable for fundraising

21 Steel & Beverage Cans Rinse to remove food Labels are okay Consider rinsing at end of cafeteria kitchen cleanup in available sink water to conserve water, or wash in less-than-full dishwasher Flatten cans Nest cans to save space Cans may need to be taken by school or volunteer to local recycling center Check with hauler first to see if will accept for recycling

22 Glass Containers Rinse to remove food Remove plastic & metal caps Labels are okay Only beverage & food containers are recyclable No ceramic or Pyrex glass, drinking glasses, plates, windows, or other types of glass are acceptable Glass will likely need to be taken by school or volunteer to a local recycling center

23 Step Three: Goals, Work Plan, Action Steps Set a waste reduction goal that is achievable in the school year Develop a work plan that includes action steps to meet the goal Tasks that need to be done Who will perform the tasks Timeline to accomplish the tasks Obtain support for the plan from school administration

24 Goals, Work Plan, Action Steps, cont'd Start small one or two materials Mixed paper & cardboard Redeemable beverage containers Implement in phases for easy modification Hold a desk & locker clean-out day

25 Goals, Work Plan, Action Steps, cont'd Consider simple, low cost waste reduction & reuse programs Expand an existing recycling program by adding at least one material Conduct an outreach campaign to promote newly added material

26 Work Plan Sample Goal: Expand recycling at school by adding beverage container recycling. Strategy: Conduct school-wide education & promotional campaign about beverage container recycling project. Tasks: Committee members will investigate options for obtaining collection containers for the cafeteria & hallways & decide on a collection system. Develop outreach & promotional materials for the recycling project. Record tonnages recycled; evaluation & recommendations for program continuation.

27 Work Plan Sample, cont'd Timeline: November - February Measures of Success: Placement of beverage container recycling bins & development of collection plan. Amount of materials collected, measured by actual weights of materials or recorded volumes of materials. Documented reporting of any problems & recommendations for continuing the collection next school year.

28 Examples of Work Plans can be found in Case Studies on the NERC Website. index.html#schoolwaste

29 Develop a Budget Recycling bins Cardboard boxes Solicit bin contributions from town or businesses Staff & teacher time Promotion (signage, fliers) Hauling charges

30 Cost Efficiencies Develop partnerships with businesses, PTO, & the community Collect redeemable beverage containers Consider recycling fundraisers, such as cell phones & printer cartridges Hold community collections beverage containers, cell phones, etc.

31 Cost Efficiencies, cont'd Review existing hauler contracts Maintain accurate recycling records Ensure waste disposal contract is based on actual volumes disposed Monitor waste disposal once recycling is implemented

32 Tip Discuss with school administration how waste reduction & recycling can reduce disposal costs for the school.

33 Step Four: Consider Waste Reduction & Reuse Paper Use Reduction Campaign Adopt a school Paper Use Reduction goal & policy that promotes use of electronic media Send notices home to parents via Use for in-school communications Set up a file-share system on the school Website

34 Paper Use Reduction Campaign, cont'd Double-sided copying Train staff about double-sided copying/printing Post signage about recycling & double-sided printing next to all printers/copiers Set double-sided copying/printing as default setting Reuse boxes In all classrooms, next to printers & copiers

35 Reduction & Reuse, cont'd Cafeteria Food Waste Reduction Zero waste lunches Offer Versus Serve Allow students to decline items they do not want o Acceptable under USDA national school lunch & breakfast programs

36 Reduction & Reuse, cont'd Exchanges Set-up closet/other small area for Student Supply Exchange File folders, hanging folders, envelopes, binders, paperclips, pens, pencils, etc. Promote Exchange to teachers & staff Encourage students to leave (or take) items Start a prom dress (& tuxedo) exchange for students or join a regional exchange List used musical instruments & sporting equipment in newsletter or on Website

37 Step Five: Determine Where the Materials will Go Identify a hauler or recycling center Check with school trash hauler Negotiate with hauler to offer reduced rate for hauling both trash & paper Check Internet or telephone directory under recycling for recycling haulers Transport materials to local recycling center or transfer station

38 Where the Materials Will Go, cont'd Organize a district-wide collection Use school supply vehicles to collect materials Take to a central school location for pick-up by hauler or for transport by school personnel to a recycling center Ask public works or highway department to provide hauling

39 Where the Materials Will Go, cont'd Can a local business or town office act as a drop-off point or provide collection? Is there a non-profit willing to collect materials? If no options for paper recycling exist, there may be agricultural outlets for paper (animal bedding or compost)

40 Tips Explore all options before setting up the collection Pooling resources with other schools, town offices, or businesses can work to everyone s advantage The greater the volume of material, the more cost effective it may be for a hauler to collect

41 Tips Find out exactly what the hauler will accept or what is acceptable at the recycling center prior to setting up the program Some haulers will only handle paper Most recycling centers or transfer stations will accept paper & beverage containers

42 Step Six: Determine Storage for the Collected Materials Consult with hauler The hauler will typically provide containers for storage (large carts, dumpster-style containers) Self-transport Devise system for easy transport o o Small carts on wheels Reusable bags or boxes

43 Storage, cont'd Storage areas for carts or bags Hallways, closets, an empty room, or a small outside storage shed Consider safety, health, & fire codes when selecting storage area

44 Storage & Collection Bins Each classroom & office (each desk best) should have recycling bins Small containers, gallons are best Decorated cardboard boxes Old trash cans (decorated & with recycling signage) Plastic totes, such as curbside recycling or home storage containers

45 Classroom Container Options

46 Classroom Container Options

47 Beverage Container Recycling Bins

48 Tips Contact your town or county to see if it can provide collection bins Solicit business or PTO sponsorship to purchase bins Look for grant funding

49 Step Seven: The In-School Collection System Set-up a system for moving recyclable materials from the classrooms (& offices) to outside recycling storage container (or to larger carts stored inside) Determine: Who will collect the material How often will it be collected How it will be collected

50 Classroom Collection Options Option One Each classroom empties its recycling bin into a centralized cart Carts can be located in hallways The recycling team or custodian takes central cart to outside bin (or to the curb for collection by a hauler, or a storage area for later transport to a recycling center)

51 Collection Options, cont'd Option Two Custodians empty recyclables from the classrooms & office areas Could be done on an as-needed basis Scheduled collection, e.g., one floor a day

52 Collection Options, cont'd Option Three The recycling team or another school group empties classroom containers Classrooms can set the bins outside the classroom on a scheduled day Students organize collection schedule one floor a day, etc.

53 Tips Be sure to include offices & teacher work areas in the collection system If beverage containers are collected, these too must be factored in & a system designed for collection Beverage containers may need to be collected on a daily basis to reduce potential for insect problems

54 Containers Classroom & office bins can be emptied into larger, centralized containers (30-60 gallons) located around the school E.g., rolling carts or large reusable bags Carts may be able to be picked-up & emptied by the hauler Check to see if the hauler provides carts

55 Containers, cont d Alternatively, smaller carts can be used & materials moved to outside storage bin These carts or bags can also be rolled into the classroom, down hallways, & into office areas for collecting material

56 Sample Collection Carts

57 Sample Collection Carts

58 Points of Collection Classrooms (mixed paper, beverage containers) Office areas & teacher work areas (mixed paper, cardboard, beverage containers) Library (newspaper, mixed paper) Break areas & hallways (vending machines beverage containers)

59 Points of Collection, cont'd Near printers, copiers (paper) Cafeteria & kitchen (beverage containers, steel cans, cardboard) Supply rooms (cardboard) Athletic areas (beverage containers) Machine shop (metal, paper, used motor oil, antifreeze)

60 Tips Involve custodial staff in determining most effective way to haul & store recyclables Even if custodians do not do the collection, this ensures that recyclables do not inadvertently end-up in trash or get contaminated with garbage Use same style recycling bins for all classrooms Label collection bins for recycling & acceptable material

61 Tips, cont'd Distinguish paper recycling bins from beverage container recycling bins by using different styles or colors Recycling bins should be easily distinguishable from trash bins Make sure storage bins meet fire safety codes Collected recyclables must be kept clean & dry

62 Step Eight: Publicity & Education Develop a school recycling slogan & logo Hold a design contest Hold a kick-off event Announce program to local media, on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Have students design posters, educational displays, newsletter articles, & PA announcements Show what can & cannot be recycled Show how to recycle Show importance of student participation Boast about success

63 Publicity & Education, cont'd Have recycling team do class presentations, skits, or raps Conduct training sessions for teachers, cafeteria workers, & student leaders about what can & cannot be recycled, & why Encourage teachers to incorporate recycling into curricula Invite environmental speakers to speak about importance of recycling, careers in the environmental field, & local or regional solid waste issues

64 School Environmental Club Presentation

65 Sample Display

66 Sample Display

67 Sample Display

68 Step Nine: Troubleshooting & Monitoring Monitor recycling bins for contamination This is most effectively done when material is collected or just following collection Respond quickly & appropriately to any contamination issues Assign classroom volunteers to monitor program

69 Monitoring, cont'd Keep an eye on program operations Are the collection bins in the right place? Are they overflowing too quickly? Are the people in charge of the collection satisfied with the system? Are the collection bins & storage areas neat & clean? Is there enough signage? Are there any problems with insects around beverage recycling bins?

70 Monitoring, cont'd Keep records of materials collected & reductions in trash disposal May be able to decrease size of garbage dumpster, number of dumpsters, &/or frequency of collection Use EPA s WARM Tool ( /waste/calculators/warm_home.html) to calculate energy savings & greenhouse gas emission reductions from the school s recycling efforts

71 Monitoring, cont'd Regularly post recycling results Add new members to recycling team to avoid burnout Ask custodial staff for input about recycling efforts & suggestions for improvements Recognize their contributions

72 Checking for Contaminants & Sorting Materials

73 Tips Program monitoring & outreach activities must be ongoing & permanent part of recycling efforts Be positive & rewarding Consider contests & awards as way to reward participation & encourage students to recycle Promote recycling tonnages, environmental benefits, contest winners, etc. on Website, Facebook, & school announcements

74 Resources Available on NERC Website: Action Tip Sheets choolwaste Waste Assessments & Waste Audits Waste Audit Sheets School Waste Assessment Form School Reuse Tips Paper Use Reduction in Schools School Cafeteria Waste Reduction Rural School Recycling Success School Composting Options Fundraising with Recycling Rural School Case Studies in Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, & Composting School Web Resources

75 Resources Available on NERC Website, cont'd Presentations Rural School Recycling Success Composting at School Sustainable Recycling for Schools Implementing a Successful Green School Program Hands to Earth: Educating for a Sustainable World Manchester Essex (Massachusetts) Regional School District Composting Mansfield Middle School (Connecticut) Composting Case Studies Academy of the Holy Family, Connecticut Sayles School, Connecticut. John M. Clayton Elementary School, Delaware Pencader Charter High School, Delaware Eldred School District, New York Liberty School District, New York

76 Other Resources Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools Materials for Recycling Lesson Plans & Other Resources Go Green School Initiative Green School Resources The Green Team Various School Resources