Schools often produce tremendous amounts of waste with instructional materials, used

electronics, and food. But teachers and students can work collaboratively to reduce the
amount of waste produced.Getting students and teachers involved in recycling at school is
good for the environment, educational and can be a lot of fun. Educating our children about
the importance of recycling provides the country with a path to a greener future. As children
learn about recycling, they will be more likely to carry these habits into their adult years.
They also will learn how their personal actions can affect the future.We can establish a
recycling program at school .
First, teachers and students need to work together on recycling teams to decide how the
school will move forward with its recycling program. Students can get involved with
analyzing the types and amounts of refuse the school is producing. Sorting and recording
what is being thrown away is an important first step to determine what the school is throwing
out.
After seeing what exactly is being thrown away, we can set our school’s goals for recycling.
We should identify the materials that can be recycled and determine how to collect them.
There are several types of recycling programs we can establish at our school. There are types
of materials that can be recycled:
Paper recycling
Paper is the major type of waste that schools create, typically comprising at least 25% of
school waste. Most types of paper can be recycled. This includes:
 Copy paper
 Computer paper
 Notebook paper
 School letterhead
 Colored paper
 File folders
 Paper grocery bags
When schools separate their paper from their other trash, the amount of waste that is sent to
landfills can be dramatically reduced.
Electronics recycling
From printer ink cartridges, to computers, to monitors, schools can recycle old electronics
that would otherwise be tossed in landfills and pollute the environment. Electronic waste is
some of the most toxic out there. oour school can go a long way towards helping the
environment with an e-waste recycling program.
The school’s admin staff can get involved with this program by donating old computers,
printers and monitors.
Plastic recycling
From cups to plastic forks and spoons to food packaging, our school produces a lot of plastic
waste that can be recycled. Our school can set up new policies to reduce trash created in the
classroom.
Once we have determined what our school is going to recycle,we need to establish a program
to enact our recycling goals. Below are some ideas for various types of recycling programs.
Paper
We can establish a program for recycling paper in every classroom. Each classroom can use
trash bins for paper waste and regular waste. To work most efficiently, these bins should be
different colors so it is easy to tell the difference between them. Both containers should be
labeled clearly as trash or paper only. Paper recycling bins also should be placed throughout
the school, including in the hallways, cafeteria and restrooms.
Plastics, Food Waste and Paper in school
 Setting up recycling containers in the school can be very effective for recycling many types
of materials, paper and plastic being the most significant. Bins can be placed for recycling
food containers, plastic bottles, juice boxes, plastics, waste paper, etc.
Here are some concrete ideas on how to set up recycling programs at our school to encourage
recycling and waste reduction. Try these ideas with teachers and students:
1. Route school memos electronically and do not print them out
2. Reuse office and classroom supplies when possible rather than buying new
3. Hold recycling contests between classrooms or grades to see who can collect the most
recyclable materials in a week
4. Use the front and back of copy paper for class assignments, then recycle it
5. Encourage students to use recycled materials in their art projects, from water bottles
to paper to beads.
6. Keep a scrap paper box in every classroom
7. Put a printer ink recycle bin in school. We can collect these and turn them into money
at various businesses, which can be used to fund school activities.
8. Establish a recycling club that encourages recycling throughout the school.
9. Post assignments and documents online rather than printing them
10. Use old magazines for art projects
11. Minimize the number of handouts used in classes, and recycle any that are used
12. Encourage the cafeteria to buy food in bulk which reduces paper and plastic waste
13. Encourage students to bring their lunch from home in reusable containers
We hope these are some solid ideas to grow a recycling program at our school.