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Tips forRural School
Waste Reduction & Recycling Success
Athena Lee Bradley [email protected] 802-254-3636
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.
www.nerc.org
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.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
NERC Resources for Schools
This presentation is designed as a supplement to a companion document—NERC’s Rural School Recycling Success (http://
www.nerc.org/documents/rural_school_recycling.pdf ).
Many school waste reduction, recycling, & composting documents were developed by NERC as part of this project.
Presentations & Tip Sheets are available for download at http://www.nerc.org/documents/index.html#SchoolWaste .
These documents include detailed information & resources to support school source reduction,
reuse, recycling, and composting efforts.Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Recycling – General Information
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
New Products Made from Recycled Materials
Plastic
Glass
Paper
Metals
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Getting Started – Waste Reduction & Recycling
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Form a Team, cont'd
Include representatives from: Administration Faculty Custodial staff Cafeteria staff Parents Students
Appoint coordinator or committee chair
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
School Waste Assessment FormName of School: Key Contact: Direct Phone number/extension: Email:
Date:
Number of students in the school: Grade levels: Number of teachers: Number of teacher/staff work areas & break rooms: Number of administrators & other staff:
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:Email: In-house Contracted Frequency of in-school waste collection: Daily Every other day Weekly Other:
Waste Hauler: Key Contact: Phone: Email: In-house Municipal service Contracted/Private hauler
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Download the form from NERC’s Website - www.nerc.org/documents/school_waste_assessment_form.doc
What to Recycle
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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 fundraisingNortheast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Work Plan SampleGoal: 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.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Work Plan Sample, cont'dTimeline: 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.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Examples of Work Plans can be found in Case Studies on the
NERC Website. http://www.nerc.org/documents/index.html#SchoolWaste
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Develop a Budget
Recycling bins Cardboard boxes Solicit bin contributions from town or
businesses
Staff & teacher time Promotion (signage, fliers) Hauling charges
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Tip
Discuss with school administration how waste reduction & recycling can reduce disposal costs for the school.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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 email Use email for in-school communications Set up a file-share system on the
school Website
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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 & copiersNortheast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Reduction & Reuse, cont'd
Cafeteria Food Waste Reduction Zero waste lunches “Offer Versus Serve”
Allow students to decline items they do not wanto Acceptable under USDA national
school lunch & breakfast programs
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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)
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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 Small carts on wheelso Reusable bags or boxes
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Storage & Collection Bins
Each classroom & office (each desk best) should have recycling bins
Small containers, 15 - 25 gallons are best
Decorated cardboard boxes Old trash cans (decorated & with
recycling signage) Plastic totes, such as curbside recycling
or home storage containers
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Classroom Container Options
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Classroom Container Options
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Beverage Container Recycling Bins
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Classroom Collection OptionsOption 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)
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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.
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Sample Collection Carts
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Sample Collection Carts
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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)
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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)
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
School Environmental Club Presentation
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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?Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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 (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/calculators/Warm_home.html) to calculate energy savings & greenhouse gas emission reductions from the school’s recycling efforts
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Checking for Contaminants & Sorting Materials
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Resources Available on NERC Website: Action Tip Sheetshttp://www.nerc.org/documents/index.html#SchoolWaste
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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Resources Available on NERC Website, cont'dPresentations 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
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org
Other Resources
Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools http://www.epa.gov/wastes/education/toolkit.htm
Materials for Recycling www.ciwmb.ca.gov/gallery/wasteprev
Lesson Plans & Other Resources www.paperrecycles.org Go Green School Initiative www.gogreeninitiative.org Green School Resources
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8803.html The Green Team www.thegreenteam.org Various School Resources www.kab.org
Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. © September 2011 www.nerc.org