School School District School Year Green Team Members Present 2019-20 School Year Action Plan Instructions: check off the mile marker(s) that are feasible this school year and draft a brief plan on how your green team will work to achieve them. Conduct Waste Analysis (simple) To develop a baseline understanding of your school’s waste composition conduct a “weigh-and-sort” of waste gathered from each of the following places: cafeteria, classroom, office. Place recycling bins next to refuse containers throughout the school building. Capture paper and metal, glass, plastic and cartons in key areas throughout the school. For best results, pair recycling containers with trash to reduce contamination. Communicate Reduce, Reuse, Recycle info for home to parents and guardians. Send a flyer home to parents about the importance of reducing waste at home and in packing school lunches as well as increase awareness of how to recycle in the local community. Establish practice of “Tap and Stack” to reduce volume of single-use lunch trays. A great way to reduce space in a trash container and pick-ups by the trash hauler is by simply having students “tap and stack” their trays in cafeteria refuse receptacles. Establish “back-of-the-house” recycling during meal preparation. Recycle metal cans, plastic jugs and containers and cardboard generated during school lunch prep. Establish “Zero Waste” stations in school cafeteria(s). Recycle glass and plastic bottles and cans, milk and other beverage cartons generated during school lunches. Outreach to students about Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Conduct assemblies, set up info tables in the cafeteria or at special events, post signage, messages on morning announcements and electronic kiosks and screens, etc. Incorporate re-usable or compostable lunch trays. Reduce school lunch waste greatly by shifting away from Polystyrene lunch trays to reusable or compostable lunch trays. Install electric hand dryers in bathrooms. Reduce disposal of, or eliminate, paper towel waste by installing electric hand dryers in school bathrooms. Install water bottle refilling stations. Reduce single-use plastics by installing water bottle refilling stations throughout school building. Incorporate waste reduction in procurement of materials. Prioritize the reduction of waste by procurement of materials that minimize waste (e.g. condiment dispensers vs. individual packets). Establish Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at school functions and sporting events. Set up recycling or “zero-waste” stations at school functions and/or sporting events. See Appendix for a guide on how to set up recycling at events. Conduct Waste Analysis (complex) Record weights of solid waste streams (via actual numbers or estimated) over a series of three (3) intervals throughout the school year. Composting (for school garden) Set up a compost system for a school garden. Divert yard waste from the garden and/or food scraps and food soiled paper from snack/meals generated by classes utilizing the garden. Educate users on how to compost and use the finished material. Organics Diversion (composting/anaerobic digesting) Establish organics diversion in school cafeterias. Divert “back-of-the-house” material from lunch preparation as well as after meals at “zero-waste” stations. Organize volunteers to monitor “zero-waste” stations and compost on-site or procure anaerobic digester to process material. Enter into “recycling friendly” contract with waste hauler. Reduce waste hauling expenses and be rewarded for reducing waste and recycling. See Appendix for information on NYS OGS Recycling and Trash Removal contract. [checkbox checkbox-17 "Pass a Board of Ed. RRR policy supporting the goal of “Zero-Waste"."] Pass a policy detailing procedures and protocols which prioritize waste reduction in procurement and the optimal recycling of solid waste generated in schools (e.g. paper, beverage cartons, metal, glass and plastic containers.) Locker and desk clean out program with emphasis on reuse and recycling Make sure all unwanted school supplies, clothing, furniture finds a new home at the end of the school year. Work with a local materials exchange or charity to help divert this waste from the landfill. Other (surveys, special events, campaigns, or initiatives, trips to facilities, etc.) Conduct a survey to fellow students, organize a recycling event/campaign, or a field trip to the transfer station.
