Recycling Plan for the Williamsburg High School for
Architecture and Design.
CONCEPT: Recycling saves energy and natural resources, reduces pollution, and
decreases production of solid waste.
OBJECTIVE: To start an effective school recycling program.
MATERIALS: A school recycling plan, containers for recycling
PROCEDURE: The following outline is a step-by-step procedure for establishing a
recycling program in our school.
Ms. Hanh Bui (Chemistry teacher @ A&D) is the coordinator for the recycling program.
I. Determine what materials are to be recycled.
A. The school can recycle high-grade paper (some examples are lined composition
paper, photocopy paper, letterhead, memo paper, computer paper) generated in
administrative offices and classrooms.
B. The school may consider recycling newspaper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum
beverage cans, plastic, and glass (food and beverage containers) to further reduce
their solid waste stream. Composting of yard wastes (brush and leaves) might also
be considered.
II. Establish a system for separating, collecting and storing recyclables.
A. Where will recyclables be safely and conveniently deposited?
1. Place properly-labeled containers for paper in each classroom. Be sure
to comply with health, fire and safety codes when selecting and
placing containers (metal, rather than paper containers may be
preferable in some instances).
2. Place well-marked bins for aluminum and glass near wastebaskets in
all areas where food is prepared or eaten. Limiting the openings to
recycling containers often helps to alert users that they are not garbage
receptacle (i.e. a small hole for cans and bottles).
3. Designate an area for flattening, bundling and storing corrugated
cardboard and storing newspaper.
B. Who will collect recyclables? How frequently will the collection occur and
what equipment will be necessary?
1. Custodians can collect material throughout the school facilities every
Friday afternoon by placing each type of recyclable material in a
special garbage can, bin or hamper.
2. Custodians can then take recyclables to a designated storage area on
the school grounds (within a school building proper, in a shed, in a
roll-off container or dumpster) until they can be marketed.
III. Educate the school community about the program.
A. Send a memo detailing the program to administrators, teachers, and staff.
B. Schedule time to explain the program. The education can be done by students,
teachers, administrators, or recycling coordinators. Sometimes, the message is
better received when delivered by students.
1. Explain the necessity for recycling in the school by referring to the
state recycling law, environmental needs, and the fact that we are
throwing away valuable resources.
2. Explain how the program will work, including the following:
i.
Show samples of the materials to be recycled.
ii.
Explain the importance of keeping recycling containers free
of contaminants (e.g., chewing gum, food waste, paper
napkins/towels/tissues, waxed paper, aluminum foil,
plastics, and paper clips.) Note: Staples are generally not
considered a contaminant.
iii.
Explain where the various recyclables should be deposited
within each room and when they will be collected from
individual rooms.
iv.
Let people know who the program coordinator is so he or
she can assist and be notified if there are any problems.
3. Display recycling poster and set up displays in prominent locations in
the school building.
4. Include general information about the program in school notice and
newsletters which are taken home or are mailed to the student's
parents.
5. To unify the program and to heighten its visibility, use the standard
recycling symbol or a recycling slogan or mascot in all recycling
publicity and on all recycling containers. Consider sponsoring a
contest to acquire a suitable slogan or mascot, or ask the art teacher if
students may design a poster and decorate storage containers during art
classes.
6. Develop a form which can be appropriately filled out and given to
anyone whose recyclables are contaminated with unacceptable
material or whose regular garbage contains recyclables.
Setting good examples for youth to follow is an important task for the schools. If children
develop the recycling habit in school, they will probably practice recycling at home and
elsewhere in the community; thus the school should be proud of its efforts to "give its
trash a second chance."