Introduction:

Every day each Kansan produces an average of more than 5 lbs of trash - that's 3.2 million tons total each year. Over 40% of this waste is paper and a significant amount of it is produced by schools. Not surprisingly, the main material thrown away by schools is paper. It often makes up at least quarter of the waste they produce. Likewise, according to the EPA, over 26 million tons of food waste is produced each year in the U.S., much of which comes from school cafeterias. We think of products as being disposable, but whether this material is burned, moved, or buried, it must go somewhere to be managed by someone. As landfill space becomes scarcer, it is essential that we reduce the amount of waste we produce. Schools have the opportunity to serve as models of waste reduction and centers of community education, as students who practice waste reduction and conservation at school are more likely to practice these behaviors at home.

The Benefits:

Enhance Student Understanding Using a Real Life Application

Creating a school waste reduction program is a hands-on, real-world learning experience. Students can apply their math, science, social studies and communication skills. Please see the Classroom Connections handout (Appendix 1) for more information on how you can incorporate your Green Team program into lesson planning.

Save and Earn Money for Your School

It costs money to dispose of trash. A school that practices waste reduction, reuse and recycling is going to save money on their waste disposal costs. Additionally, schools can generate revenue from the sale of recycled materials, such as paper and aluminum.

Help the Environment

• Conserve Energy: By recycling or reducing at the source, a school can indirectly conserve energy. The steps in supplying recycled materials to industry, (collection, processing and transportation), use less energy than the steps in supplying raw materials to industry, (extraction, refining, and transportation). Additional energy savings associated with recycling occur in the manufacturing process, when products are made from already processed material versus from scratch using raw materials. For instance, making an aluminum can from recycled material requires only about 5% of the energy that would be needed to produce the can from raw aluminum ore. The amount of energy saved from this one can is enough to power a TV for 3 hours.
• Prevent Pollution: When less energy is used to make products, fewer fossil fuels are burned and less green house gas, mercury, and other harmful chemicals are emitted into the atmosphere to pollute our air, water, soil.

Recycling also prevents the pollution that comes from landfills. As it decomposes, garbage produces methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas. By diverting material from landfills, recycling can reduce methane emissions. The material decomposing in landfills also produces leachate. Leachate is a liquid formed when water percolates through the garbage in a landfill. It can contain metals, bacteria, and toxins that sometimes end up in our soil and water.

Recycling prevents pollution in yet another way by reducing the number of trees that are cut down to make products. Trees help clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide. With more trees standing, more carbon is absorbed from the air.

• Preserve Natural Resources: Recycling allows us to use natural resources more than once, reducing the need to chop down, extract, process, refine and transport natural resources such as timber, petroleum, and mineral ores. Glass, for example, never wears out. It can be recycled over and over again. By supplying industry with recycled materials, rather than virgin resources, recycling also preserves biodiversity by slowing the destruction of forests, wetlands, rivers and other places essential to wildlife. Additionally, other detrimental impacts, such as the soil erosion associated with logging and mining, are lessened.

• Conserve Landfill Space: As more and more garbage is produced, landfills are filling up. They are expensive to build and no one wants one in their backyard. By throwing away less, schools can help lessen the need for new landfills and extend the lives of existing landfills.

Getting Started

Gain Support: To create a successful waste reduction program, you will need the "buy-in" or support of your school's administration. Your school's PTO is also a great place to start. With their commitment, you are in a better position to create a successful program.

Form Your Team: A Green Team is simply a group of people dedicated to promoting waste reduction, recycling, and responsible purchasing in their school or workplace. Try to involve everyone including custodial staff, cooks, maintenance workers, faculty, students, and parents. The team will be charged with: setting goals, gathering and analyzing information relevant to the design and implementation of the program; promoting the program to staff and students and educating them about how they can participate; monitoring the progress of the program and periodically reporting to administration about its status.

Choose a Coordinator: To help get things started, appoint a team coordinator. Select one or two leader(s) who are committed to your program. This leader(s) should oversee the program, and act as the liaison between the staff, administration, and the recycling and waste vendor(s).

Set Preliminary Goals: Start small. Although there are a lot of great ideas out there, don't try to do everything at once. Begin your program with simple projects that have a relatively high likelihood of success. This will help you gain additional support and credibility. You can then expand your program little by little.

Involve the Students: Student participation will help generate enthusiasm for the program. Without students embracing responsibility and receiving recognition for maintaining and improving programs year after year, the program can fade. Try to involve the students in every possible aspect of planning, implementing, and maintaining your program. Incorporate these aspects into classroom lessons. A Student Environmental Club is also a great way to organize and draw in students year after year.

Get to Know Your Waste

It's important to know what materials make up your waste so that you can develop a plan to reduce it. A waste assessment can help you identify what wastes your school produces, establish a baseline for measuring progress and evaluating your waste diversion programs, and decide which wastes to target for reduction first. You will know what wastes are produced in the greatest volume and those that have the greatest toxicity. Follow these steps to determine what makes up your waste, how much your school is throwing away, and how much it is costing you.

Obtain Your Waste Disposal Records

Contact your trash collector to obtain your monthly disposal invoices. These invoices can help you answer the following questions: How are you being charged, by the pull or by weight? How much are you paying each month? How much are you throwing away? By obtaining back invoices you can put together a picture of your yearly waste disposal charges and/or weights/amounts. This will also give you a base line from which you can track your future progress. Don't be afraid to call your trash collector with questions. These invoices can be confusing.

Walk Through Your School

A walkthrough of your school is necessary to learn where trash is coming from and where it ends up. A walkthrough can also help you determine what waste is being thrown away and help you identify reduction opportunities and potential savings. Use the School Walkthrough form (See Appendix 2) provided to record your findings. You will want to plan the walkthrough for a time when garbage bins and dumpsters are full. You may want to contact your janitorial and/or building maintenance staff for assistance.

Consider Conducting a Waste Characterization Audit

A waste characterization audit should help you determine what materials make up your waste. There are two options for conducting a waste characterization audit. Either way, the goal is to find out what types of waste and how much of them are being thrown out. The first option involves estimating waste types and amounts by conducting a visual survey of individual waste receptacles. This can be accomplished during the school walkthrough. The second option is the most accurate and consists of actually sampling and weighing the building's wastes. The audit can be conducted at anytime of the day, but before garbage and recycling receptacles are emptied. You want to make sure that you are measuring exactly one day's worth of waste. So it may be helpful to obtain the assistance of custodial and/or building maintenance staff in conducting this phase of the audit. See the How to Conduct a Waste Characterization Audit packet (Appendix 3), for further guidance. This can also make for a very interesting science and/or math project for older students.

GO FOR IT

The Waste Reduction Hierarchy consists of four main components to help your school handle and minimize waste. The hierarchy encourages waste reduction and reuse, then recycling, and, as a last resort, disposal. By practicing these steps in order, your school can maximize its waste diversion.

Reducing

Waste reduction means consuming and throwing away less. Because it actually prevents the generation of waste in the first place, it is the most preferred method of waste management and goes a long way toward protecting the environment. It includes: purchasing durable, long-lasting goods; seeking products and packaging that are as toxin free as possible; buying products that use less packaging. Reusing items -- by repairing them, donating them or selling them -- also reduces waste.

Reusing

Reusing products, when possible, is also better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again. This can include practices as simple as using durable coffee mugs or reusing packing materials and office supplies, such as file folders and envelopes. You will also want to consider materials exchange programs and donation options. See Appendix 4 for waste reduction and reuse ideas.

Recycling

Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. In addition, it generates a host of environmental, financial, and social benefits. Materials like glass, metal, plastics, and paper are collected, separated, and sent to facilities that can process them into new materials or products. Common materials that can be recycled include paper, cardboard, scrap metals, wood, electronics, and beverage containers. Follow these steps to set up a recycling program.

1. Decide What Materials You Will Recycle: Start with the basics: paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastic bottles. Commercial pick up for these materials may be available. Other materials to consider are newspapers, magazines, batteries, printer cartridges, electronics, food waste, and yard trimmings.

2. Find Recycling Centers/Service Providers: For paper, cardboard, plastics, and other materials, you may need a hauler. These companies provide containers and establish a regular pick up schedule to meet your needs. In most cases, service providers collect materials for free and may even pay you for your materials. Remember that your school can earn revenue from your recycled products, so shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.

   If pickup services are not available, another option is to take your recyclables to a drop-off center. Drop-off centers can also help you expand your program because they often accept items that cannot be picked up. See the recycling directory to locate a center or service provider near you. www.kansasbirp.com/centerdirectory.asp

3. Purchase and Place Your Receptacles

   Recycling receptacles can be purchased on-line and at most major retail and office supply stores. See our website http://www.kansasgreenteams.org/ for special deals for schools. Choose the correct size of receptacles for the volume your office generates and the correct type for different materials. Place containers in strategic locations, and make sure they are labeled clearly. You may want to consider the following:

   • A good rule of thumb is a recycling receptacle for every trashcan.
   • Provide bins for paper recycling in every classroom.
   • Place larger containers for paper near printers, copiers, in offices and computer labs.
   • Locate receptacles for plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and magazines, in break rooms, cafeterias, or other central locations.
   • Place containers for recyclable materials in shops, labs, and cafeterias.
4. Coordinate Collection/Transportation: Coordinate collection of recyclables with the recycling service provider, janitorial crew, and/or staff. You may also want to consider involving your students. If you decide to rely on your janitorial crew for this, the next time your schools janitorial contract comes up for bid, be sure to include collection/removal of recycling as part of the contractor's normal duties. Addendums can also be worked into existing contracts. In most cases, this can be done for little or no increase in cost. Considering that your janitorial contractor will be collecting the same amount of material and if receptacles are located close to the trash cans, the additional amount of time and effort required will be minimal.

Take a Second Look at Your Purchasing

Everything your school buys affects the environment, but some choices are better than others. Your school can use its purchasing power to help protect the environment and set a good example for others. When purchasing products and services, keep these considerations in mind:

• Buy Durable Products - Instead of purchasing disposable items, purchase items that will last a long time, such as rechargeable batteries. Also, choose products with a longer life and extend that life span through repair and reconditioning, which might also include upgrading.
• Avoid Excess Packaging - Look for products that have less packaging or buy in bulk. You will have less to throw away. You can also purchase items with packaging that can be reused or recycled.
• Buy Recycled - By purchasing recycled content products, you are helping to "close the loop" by providing markets for recovered materials. Recycled content products come in many shapes, sizes and forms including: paper and office supplies; carpeting; construction materials; toner cartridges; vehicle fluids; pens and pencils; landscaping materials; furniture; retread tires; clothing; and many other items.
• Buy Energy Efficient - Energy efficient choices for items such as computers and lighting can help your school save on utilitiy costs and cut back on green house gas emissions. Choose items that are Energy Star certified.
• Choose Products that Prevent Pollution - Choose cleaning products, paints, and other chemical products that are less toxic and biodegradable.

Kicking-Off Your Program

Once you have your basic program up and running you will want to post or circulate an announcement, to help ensure staff participation. You should include information about the new procedures or policies being adopted and how it will benefit your school. You should also include your coordinator's contact information. Mention that innovative ideas and solutions from staff and students are welcome. Provide literature explaining the benefits of recycling. (Your recycling service provider may be able to supply educational materials). And to bring the students in, you should consider having a special event or party to kick-off your program. This will make it fun and exciting for the students and really draw attention to your program. See the appendix for a list of kick-off ideas (See Appendix 6).

Educate Your Students and Staff

As the team begins to implement the waste reduction program, it is crucial that all staff and students be informed about the program and the importance of their cooperation and involvement. One of the first steps in educating staff and students is to create a school recycling guide. Use a variety of methods to reach your target audience, such as staff meetings, school newsletters, morning announcements, signs and posters, assemblies, and special events.

Keep It Going

Track and Record Progress

It's important to monitor and evaluate your program to ensure its continued success. Track the amount of materials you are recycling and throwing away. To demonstrate its cost-effectiveness you should track any income generated by the program as well as the school's savings in disposal costs and purchasing expenditures.

Keep Students and Staff Informed and Involved

Provide regular updates to staff and students about the program and seek their input. They will be encouraged to know that by doing their part they are helping to make a difference. Continual communication and recognition are crucial to the long-term success of your program. Submit articles for your school newsletter, add update information to your morning announcements and assemblies, and put up flyers.

Advertise Your Success

Use your tracking data to demonstrate your program's success to administration, staff, students, and the public. Take advantage of tools and resources to convert hard-to-understand measurements, such as kilowatt-hours or tons of waste, into vivid equivalents - numbers of cars removed from the road or numbers of trees saved. This can also be an excellent classroom project for math and science students. Check the following websites for conversion tools: http://www.nerc.org/documents/environmental_benefits_calculator.html and www.environmentaldefense.org/papercalculator/

Go Above and Beyond

Once you have your basic recycling, waste reduction, and purchasing programs up and running, don't stop there. Continue to expand your Green Team efforts by exploring other areas of responsible stewardship practices. Some of the issues that other green teams have dealt with include: energy efficiency programs, fluorescent bulb recycling, environmentally preferable cleaners and janitorial services, food scrap composting, green landscaping, and carpooling.

Contact Us

Maureen Ruhlman

mruhlman@kdhe.state.ks.us

(785) 296-6596

Appendix

These items can be downloaded here from the Downloads section