A District representative can meet with principals, teachers, students, facility managers, custodians, and PTAs to help you design a waste reduction and recycling program that is right for your school.
Once you have committed to starting a program, complete the Let's Stop Waste at School Registration Form and School Recycling Plan Worksheet. The District will provide the following services:
Step-by-Step Guide to Set-up a School Recycling Program
Just as with any other program, an effective recycling program needs leadership. A recycling coordinator can be a teacher, administrator, or parent volunteer. Recycling coordinators usually take responsibility for:
1. researching a recycling service to pick up recyclables
2. organizing the recycling collection system.
3. getting students and staff involved in the program and providing education.
4. tracking the progress of the program.
Depending on the size of your school, the recycling coordinator may spend anywhere from a day to a week to launch a recycling program. After the program has started, the coordinator usually just needs to few hour each month to oversee the program.
In addition to the recycling coordinator, it’s helpful to have a group of students involved who can monitor an area, grade level, or floor. This could be a green team or an environmental club. Team members make sure recycling containers are conveniently placed next to trash cans and ensure they are relatively free from contamination. They can make posters to place around the school, read recycling facts on morning announcements, assist students at cafeteria waste sorting stations, or other age-appropriate tasks.
School Recycling Program Checklist
Use this checklist to guide you through the above process of setting up a recycling program at your school.
Resources for Recycling
Check out these additional school recycling options, as well as ways to reduce waste at school. The District also produces Spencer's Spotlight newsletter and other educator resources.
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