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Recycling and composting minimize our schools' climate impact and teach student leadership.
Why talk about Waste?
Why talk about Waste?
Waste is a climate issue! When organic matter rots in our landfills, it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
That's why California law requires schools and school districts to recycle and compost, recover edible food, and educate their staff and students.
Sorting rules are location-specific. Check your City or hauler's website for local information.
USEFUL RESOURCES
USEFUL RESOURCES
Template 3-bin signs.pdfSorting Signs for Bins
Sorting Signs for Bins
Having bins clearly labelled is required by law and helps prevent contamination.
These template signs for recycling, organics, landfill, and food share can be customized to your local sorting rules.
In canva, go to "File" -> "Make a copy" to customize.
Reduce waste - Signs for self-serve stations.pdfSigns for Self-Serve Stations
Signs for Self-Serve Stations
These template signs encourage students to think about what they need at self-serve stations.
In canva, go to "File" -> "Make a copy" to customize.
Template -what goes where at school.pdfAll-Hands Training Slides
All-Hands Training Slides
These slides can be used to quickly orient staff and students to sorting and preventing contamination.
Student Bin Monitors
Student Bin Monitors
Bin monitors are students, staff members, or volunteers trained to help ensure proper sorting at meal times.
Bin monitors take a shift during lunchtime to stand by the bins and help students get their waste items into the correct bins. These knowledgeable guides can be an excellent resource for minimizing contamination and a great model for student leadership.
This webinar showcases models of bin monitoring success!
Template Green Team Training.pdfGreen Team Training Slides
Green Team Training Slides
Use these slides to train you staff and student Green Team members!
Find more Green Team resources on the "School Green Teams" page.
FAQ (CLICK TO EXPAND)
FAQ (CLICK TO EXPAND)
What is contamination and why is it a problem?
In reference to recycling and composting, "contamination" is when waste items are put into the wrong bin. When we put non-recyclable items in the blue bin or non-compostable items in the green bin, that could cause the whole truckload or recyclables or compost to be taken to the landfill.
Why are the sorting rules at school different from how I sort at home?
What goes where depends on your location. Waste haulers bring their materials to different processing facilities. Those facilities use different types of technology to process recyclables and compost. That's why some items may be recyclable in some locations and not in other locations. To find out what's recyclable or compostable where you're located, check your city or waste hauler's website. If you are located in Alameda County, California, use the Re:Source app!
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