Information for Teachers

Recycling at Echo Park with Angela Martin

What kind of recycling goes in the classroom bin?

The stickers on the classroom are misleading. We should limit the recycling in this bin to paper, empty water bottles, and other clean items.

What if my class wants to recycle milk cartons and plastic cups?

Please make a plan with me. If you want to see someone else’s system, talk to 3rd grade, 1st grade, Rebecca Dahl, or Teri Renze.

Why are the custodians not picking up the recycling anymore?

I will be picking up the recycling on Wednesdays. Picking it up myself allows me to see what contaminates are in there and provide more education. I hope to make this a student job, but after this week, I have discovered that we need more education before that happens.

What if I need my recycling picked up more than once a week?

I put larger recycling bins in each hallway where you can dump your recycling. However, please do not dump contaminated recycling into these bins.

What things are contaminating the recycling?

  • Paper towels

  • Chip packages

  • Straws

  • Tissues

  • Drink containers with liquid in them

  • Shredded paper

  • Typically anything smaller than your fist is too small to recycle. (You can recycle lids if you put them back on bottles.)

  • Plastic bags



Limiting Food Waste with Mindy Wychor

Which foods can be kept for snacks?

All foods can be kept for snacks. Refrigerated food (like juice, fruit cocktail, cheese sticks…) will stay good for up to four hours at room temperature.

Which food can be sent back to the cafeteria?

Food only touched by teachers can be sent back to the cafeteria. So, for example, if someone gets a breakfast, but does not want the juice, that juice cannot be sent back. However, if there are entire breakfast boxes that students have not touched, a teacher can take any food that may be eaten as a snack and put the rest on the cart.

How can food be sent back to the cafeteria?

Food can be sent back to the cafeteria on the breakfast and lunch carts.

When should the cart go back to the cafeteria?

The carts need to go back to the cafeteria before 10:00 in the morning.

What if a teacher is unable to take the cart before 10:00?

A student who can be trusted to not touch the food can take the cart down.

Do students have to take milk?

No. Students only need to take three items. They do not have to take milk.