and Waste Reduction a Guide for Schools

Schools accumulate tons Why Recycle and Reduce Waste? of waste, from paper and To protect the environment: Reducing waste, reusing computers to food and books. materials, recycling, and buying recycled products lessons By learning how to handle these a school or school district’s impact on the environment by: wastes as a , school I Saving energy I Cutting emissions officials have an opportunity to I Diminishing the need for raw products to make save on costs and positively new materials influence the future of their I Decreasing the amount of materials put into school, district, and students, To reduce costs and make money: Like other businesses, while preserving the schools pay for waste disposal. In many cases, recycling services cost less than trash disposal. Schools and districts environment. that make an effort to recycle can see significant savings in trash disposal costs. In some cases, recycling may even allow your school to raise revenue through the sale of recyclables. Decreasing the use of materials such as office paper also reduces purchasing, handling, and storage costs. To educate tomorrow’s citizens: Opportunities for Environmental — By implementing recycling programs in schools or districts, teachers and administrators demonstrate environmental responsibility and good decision making. School recycling programs also offer hands-on, real-life project-based learning opportunities to teach students about . Environmental education provides an integrating base to learn about economics, current events, and environmental policy and laws.

Opportunities for Service Learning— School recycling programs also allow for service-learning by offering hands-on experiences that go beyond classroom learning. For example, students might participate in community days or share recycling tips with neighbors. Service learning provides students with valuable experience volunteering in the community and teaches new skills such as communications, team-building, critical thinking, and decision-making. Recycling and Waste Reduction: a Guide for Schools

What Should Be Recycled in Wisconsin? Five Steps for Creating a Successful Recycling Program Designing Your Recycling and Waste Reduction Five 1. Organize a Green Team • Aluminum, glass, and • Major appliances including air bi-metal containers (tin) conditioners, clothes washers Identify team members — • Plastic containers #1 and #2, and dryers, dishwashers, Organize a team to help plan, design, implement, and including milk jugs and refrigerators, freezers, stoves, maintain your recycling program. Your team should meet detergent, soda and ovens, dehumidifiers, as needed to keep the program moving forward. bottles furnaces, boilers, and water heaters • Magazines, catalogs and Include individuals from the school or district and other materials printed on • Yard trimmings, including community including: similar paper grass clippings, leaves, yard, and garden debris • Newspaper and office paper I Administrators • Lead acid vehicle batteries, • Corrugated cardboard I Teachers automotive waste oils, and I • Computers, televisions, waste tires Custodians desktop printers, computer I • Oil absorbents and used oil Parents peripherals, DVD players, filters I Students VCRs, digital video recorders, fax machines, and phones I Other volunteers with video displays Your team should include at least one person who is Recycling is enforced by banning a material from disposal at all familiar with the school or district’s overall operations, such Wisconsin landfills. Some communities go above and beyond as a custodian or an administrator. One team member what is required by law. Check with your local recycling should act as a liaison with local community recycling staff program to find out what additional materials are accepted for recycling in your community. or a Department of Natural regional recycling specialist for assistance, and to ensure compliance with all local and state ordinances. The size of your team will depend upon the size of the school or district and its E-Cycle Wisconsin individual departments/operations. Schools or districts can ask for volunteers or appoint members. A number of electronics, including Members might be responsible for activities such as: computers, printers, and TVs, are I Gaining support from school or district officials to now banned from Wisconsin initiate a recycling program landfills and incinerators. All schools I Working with school or district officials to set the must either recycle electronics or preliminary and long-term goals of the recycling manage them as . program I Gathering and analyzing information relevant to K-12 public schools and Milwaukee the design and implementation of the program Parental Choice Program schools I Promoting the program to other employees and may take advantage of the E-Cycle Wisconsin program to students and educating them on ways to participate recycle electronics. E-Cycle Wisconsin provides a network I Monitoring program progress of electronics recyclers in the state. If your school already I Reporting to school or district officials about the works with a reputable recycler, you don't need to status of the program change. However, contracting with a registered E-Cycle Wisconsin recycler may save your school money.

For more information, visit dnr.wi.gov (search: E-cycle ) Recycling and Waste Reduction: a Guide for Schools

2. Know your trash 3. Create a green game plan Conduct a waste assessment to Identify materials to target — identify the types and amount of Using the waste assessment waste your school or district is results, determine which producing. This activity can be as materials your program will focus simple as asking your maintenance on. Remember to take into staff (janitorial and cafeteria) to consideration any local programs calculate or estimate the amount of waste your school or that will make it easier to find district throws away. This assessment will help identify options for reusable and current methods of handling waste and start you thinking recyclable materials. about how these methods can be modified to make your Consider options for collecting and storing materials — school or school district more environmentally friendly and You will need to gather or purchase bins to collect sustainable. For a sample waste assessment, visit the recyclables in classrooms, cafeterias, and other areas. Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools Program, dnr.wi.gov You may also need large containers to store recyclables (search: WI Green & Healthy Schools ). before they are picked up by a hauler or sent to a During a waste assessment, schools and districts recycling center. typically find: I Decide if you will need different bins for different • Paper (office and other mixed • CDs and DVDs materials. paper, magazines, catalogs, • Food and newspaper) • Computers, TVs, printers, I Determine which type of • Corrugated cardboard and other electronics bins will be used to collect • Aluminum and steel cans • Fluorescent light bulbs materials in classrooms, • Plastic bottles • Food waste from the offices, halls, the library, • Toner and ink cartridges cafeteria and the cafeteria. I Label your bins. Signs should be used to identify which materials are collected in which bins. Download recycling signage at dnr.wi.gov (search: Recycling Education ) I Place your bins appropriately. Recycling bins should always be placed next to a trash can– never alone.

Specifically, a waste assessment will: Depending upon the program, materials may need to be I Identify waste generated at the school or district, as collected from bins throughout the school and moved well as current purchasing and management to an onsite storage facility. To make sure this type of practices collection is possible, determine: I Examine current waste reduction practices and I If storage space is available for the collected assess their effectiveness materials. I Identify waste that could easily be reduced, reused, I If the school or district has indoor space to use as or recycled a collection and storage center. I Identify which materials would be most effective and I And, alternately, if there is room for a large efficient to recycle container outside with truck access. I Establish a baseline for measuring progress of recycling efforts Recycling and Waste Reduction: a Guide for Schools

Establish a tracking system — Setting Goals Data on the recycling program will be important to track effectiveness, identify successes, and show its strengths Check out these waste reduction ideas! and weaknesses. Before starting, develop a way to track progress. Simple spreadsheets detailing collection efforts Waste Prevention Goals work well for individual schools. Another option would be I Print and copy all documents in to join EPA’s WasteWise program, which provides forms, the duplex setting instructions, and technical assistance. I Use the Internet for research Set goals — assignments to reduce paper use Goals can be numerical (e.g., I Make memo pads out of paper collecting X tons of paper annually), activity-based (e.g., I View information electronically instead of collecting a new material or printing hard copies undertaking a new effort), or I Reduce handouts distributed or consider monetary (e.g., saving a certain sending these electronically amount of money on disposal I Have a waste-free lunch day costs). The entire program focus can be on one material I Use email for parent correspondence generated in large quantities, such as paper or plastic bottles, or perhaps a once-a-year issue, such as old /Donation Goals textbooks. Whatever they may be, make sure goals can be tracked and measured. I Designate an area in the school for a “student supply exchange.” District-wide considerations — Students can be encouraged to If the program is district-wide, a few leave (or take) items, such as additional decisions will need to be pens, notebooks, etc. made. Will participation in the I At the end of the school year collect unwanted program be mandated at all supplies for use in the upcoming school year schools or voluntary? Will the schools be able to select the I Donate furniture or electronics to a local charity activities that work best for their location (recommended) I Collect unclaimed items from lockers at the end or will all schools have to perform the same activities? of the year to donate or reuse I Use reusable trays, utensils, and dishware in the Develop a budget and get the (other) green — cafeteria As you develop the budget, evaluate the availability of I Use old magazines for art projects material resources and services at the school or district. Ask yourself: Other Goals I Does the school or district already have recycling bins or will you need to purchase new ones? I Hold a recycling competition among classes or grades I Can you apply for a grant to purchase recycling bins? Check the Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools I Start an environmental club Program for information on grants. I Join the Wisconsin Green & I Can you adjust your current Healthy Schools Program contract to cover recycling collection? I Complete the loop by buying products with I Do you need to hire a hauler or can you drop the recycled content; discuss purchasing options materials off at the local recycling center? with school officials to purchase recycled I Can the schools or districts team up with other materials when possible schools or districts to share transportation and/or storage costs? Recycling and Waste Reduction: a Guide for Schools

Materials pickup — After speaking with the vendor, be sure to check Different options to transport references! Obtain and thoroughly check the company’s collected recyclables include: references with existing contract holders, asking these I School personnel or organizations specifically whether the company is volunteers drop off fulfilling all contract specifications. recyclables at a vendor or municipal recycling center Tell it to the people — Notify the entire school or district I Work with the current waste hauler to include recycling in your contract and the surrounding community about your recycling program. I Hire a recycling or waste company to pick up Explain how it will run, why you recyclables have a program, and how The best option for a school or district will depend upon members of the community can the program type, budget, and school or district policies. get involved.

Hiring a company to pick up materials — Faculty and staff might be interested in helping design Start by asking the current waste the program’s educational component. Integrating hauler if they offer recycling creative recycling education activities and lesson plans services. If not, ask neighboring into current classroom curriculum creates buy-in for both businesses or districts who they teachers and students, helping to generate interest on use for recyclables or contact local behalf of the faculty, staff, and students. Suggestions to recycling staff. A local hauler doing jump-start the program include: pickups in the neighborhood may I Send e-mails, flyers or letters home with students offer decreased pickup costs since or group members to inform parents and others of the company is already servicing the area. If no one in program specifics. your area has recycling services, check the local I Display posters and written telephone directory under “waste management” or messages (on chalkboards or “recycling” to find companies that do. in chalk on sidewalks) around the school. When contacting a new company, here are a few I Make announcements during questions you should ask: school, at staff meetings, and I What services do you offer? at PTO meetings. I Do you transport the materials? I Hold a special assembly or I How and when will I be billed? presentation to kick off the program.

Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools

Schools across Wisconsin are demonstrating their commitment to a more sustainable earth, stronger communities, and healthier, more productive learning environments for students by choosing to join the Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools program. The Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools program is a web- based, self-paced, and voluntary program available to all Wisconsin public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. The program is designed to support and encourage schools in their quest for a healthy, safe, and environmentally- friendly learning environment. By participating in the program, students learn about dnr.wi.gov the environmental, health, and safety challenges facing our state, and are given (search: Green & Healthy Schools ) skills to address these challenges throughout their life. Recycling and Waste Reduction: a Guide for Schools

I Send press releases to local newspapers and radio and TV stations to encourage the community to participate. I Use materials created by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about reuse, recycling, and composting. Search Recycling Education on the DNR’s website, dnr.wi.gov. I Create a “reduce, reuse, recycle” website, e- newsletter, or listserv. I Print articles about the recycling program in a school newspaper or newsletter. Involve Students 4. Get started! Encourage students to participate through classroom It’s time to launch the new lessons and/or extracurricular activities. By actively recycling program! A great way to contributing to the school program, students will gain get the whole school involved and a sense of ownership and will likely enlist their peers. excited is to hold a school-wide Students can become involved in many ways, including kick-off event. These events provide an opportunity to encourage participation and the following activities which are examples from explain what the program seeks to accomplish. Wisconsin school recycling programs: Monitor and measure your progress — I Start or encourage other Program monitoring and evaluation is a crucial element of students to join an any recycling program. By making regular evaluations, environmental club. problems like contamination can be dealt with I Collect and sort materials immediately. Monitoring the program also makes it easy to by type. track results and measure progress. Gather information on the amount of materials recycled, expenses, and cost I Monitor recycling bins to savings to quantify the environmental and economic reduce contamination. benefits of the program.

I Participate in school-wide assemblies to Celebrate the green success — increase enthusiasm for the recycling program. Within the school or district, consider setting up a competition among schools, classrooms, or grades and I Enter school-wide or district-wide contests to offer the winner a reward. A reward system can provide name the program or design a poster or other stronger incentives to make your recycling program educational materials. successful. I Write articles for the school, school district, or Share your successes with the community — community newspaper Letting the community know about your recycling efforts about the program or the demonstrates environmental stewardship. Provide regular importance of waste program updates to parents and the community through reduction and recycling. email, school or community newspaper articles, and at local or school events. I Manage parts of the school’s recycling program. Don’t forget to ask Gain state and national recognition — for volunteers and reward students for their Consider joining the Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools participation, if not already part of a classroom Program (see box on preceding page) or lesson. EPA’s WasteWise Partnership Program. Both programs provide schools with additional assistance and recognition. Recycling and Waste Reduction: a Guide for Schools

5. Review, recheck, regroup, and start again Ask for feedback from students, “Offering recycling is just faculty, and staff to determine which activities work. Expand on another way to better serve successful activities. Be flexible and your community.” make changes as the program grows or circumstances change. Asking students, faculty, and staff some of these questions will help determine the success of the program: I What is successful about the program? What isn’t successful? I Are there an adequate number of recycling bins? Are they easily accessible? Are they clearly labeled and identifiable? I Did you notice any contamination problems? If so, what kind of contamination? I Is the educational aspect of the program helpful? I Do the incentives help motivate participants? I Do you have any suggestions for improving the program? I What questions or concerns do you have about the program? Resources

Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools Program School Composting dnr.wi.gov (search: Green & Healthy Schools ) EE in Wisconsin Every school day each student eeinwisconsin.org generates about two pounds or EEK! Environmental Education for Kids more of compostable materials, dnr.wi.gov/eek such as food scraps and soiled EPA’s WasteWise Program paper. Composting these epa.gov/wastes/partnerships/wastewise/index.htm materials can help schools Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin significantly reduce their waste. arow-online.org/ It is an activity that can be Keep America Beautiful kab.org integrated into school curriculum, providing hands-on learning opportunities in Recycle More Wisconsin recyclemorewisconsin.org/ science, math, and other disciplines. Composting is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, natural recycling process that uses to Recycling Program break down organic waste—like food scraps, soiled paper, dnr.wi.gov (search: Recycling Education ) leaves, and grass. With the help of beneficial organisms, University of Wisconsin-Extension, such as insects, worms, and bacteria, organic debris is Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC) decomposed to form a nutrient-rich enhancer. http://www3.uwm.edu/Dept/shwec/ Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Waste and Materials Management/WA/5 P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921 For more information on away from home recycling, or to order publications, contact [email protected] or (608) 266-2111.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This content is based on and modified from the United States This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audiotape etc.) upon request. Please call Environmental Protection Agency’s “Tool to Reduce Waste in 608/266-2111 for more information. Schools” publication, found on the School Waste Reduction

PRINTED ON Toolkit website: epa.gov/wastes/education/toolkit.htm . RE CYCLED PAPER PUB WA-1561-2012