Waste Reduction & Recycling

What's the problem?

The EPA estimates the US alone generates over 292.4 million tons of solid waste per year. Although there are recycling and composting programs that exist, even these have their challenges that are limiting the programs from becoming mainstream and affordable. Contamination of non-recyclables being placed into recycling bins is the biggest problem facing the recycling movement. Prior to 2018, the US would send its contaminated recycled products to China, where a portion of the waste would be used in manufacturing plants and the other portion “beyond decontamination” ended up in the ocean. After China stopped accepting imports of these bales of contaminated recyclables, the US faced a shock in having to adapt its domestic recycling processes to sustain the excess of recycled goods. Most cities were unable to adapt, therefore retracted funding for their recycling plants and resorted to burning an alarming amount of recycled products.

Why should we care?

According to the EPA, 63% of materials that enter a landfill could easily be recycled or composted, including food, paper, cardboard, textiles, and plastics. When items are correctly recycled, we could potentially divert more than half of what ends up in a landfill. Too much waste being diverted to landfills poses a problem for increased air pollution, groundwater contamination, and reduced biodiversity. The global issue of waste being thrown into our oceans is one of the greatest environmental concerns today. The World Wildlife Fund found that 40% of marine creatures are affected by plastic pollution and thousands of them die as a result. The improper disposal of hazardous waste also affects the water, soil, and air surrounding the body of water.

What can we do?

In addition to starting a recycling initiative, education on what can and cannot be recycled is important. Miami-Dade County’s website is a good resource for how you should be recycling. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out, into the garbage. As a school or community, a beach clean-up can be completed and you can request your school’s cafeteria to exclude plastic straws from the lunch cutlery packets. Another initiative may be to incentivize your school to supplement the recycling being done, collect the materials that are not recycled through the M-DCPS like glass and aluminum, and develop a schedule for dropping off the materials at a recycling plant. Lastly, we can support companies that are limiting or banning the use of plastics in their products and spread the word about what can be done to minimize plastic pollution in our oceans.

Green Schools Challenge Activities:

• Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - From Trash to Art

• Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - How Much Waste?

• Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - Landfill in a Bottle

• Create Your Own (Pre-K through 5th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan click here

Schools can choose to do more than one activity but maximum amount of points a school can earn for this topic is the same. Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.

Water Reduction & Recycling Activity Submission Form Click Here