Educating Tomorrow

Dear New York Times Journalist,

The NY Times has consistently demonstrated a commitment to covering issues important to NYC communities. I write to illuminate just such an issue.
 
I am part of the NYC School Recycling Action Committee—a grassroots movement consisting of NYC educators, parents, and members of NYC communities concerned about the lack of recycling in NYC schools. We are striving to create a movement that educates children to be environmentally aware; to take the environmental/recycling laws of NYC seriously; and to put mandated recycling programs in place in our NYC schools.

A recent WNYC program estimates just under 10 percent of NYC school waste is recycled. Considering there are 1.1 million students and 80,000 educators in NYC K-12 schools, there’s a lot of recycling carelessly entering the waste stream. Try to imagine all the books, paper, cardboard, milk cartons and beverage containers that 1,200 public and approximately 900 private schools produce during the school year. We have—and it’s overwhelming!

In response to the lack of recycling systems, some of us have started recycling programs in our schools—often as unpaid volunteers—and others are interested in starting programs. However, there are numerous deterrents, such as:

• No system-wide program offering supplies and sufficient educational materials for schools/teachers/parents to start and run their programs.
• Lack of staff time to effectively begin and coordinate programs.
• Custodians aren’t on board - complaining about the time it takes to move recycling separately from trash and the extra time isn’t built into their schedules.
• Students repeatedly witnessing items they’ve carefully separated for recycling ending up in trash dumpsters—largely because collection types and schedules aren’t working.

We need the NY Times to take a deep look at this issue and bring attention to our efforts. Please help us educate the public about what is going on and solutions for change. You could highlight:

• The lack of adherence to Local Law 19 and the NYC Department of Education Chancellor’s Regulations on Waste Management in Schools, which have not been updated since reorganization (attached). What are Chancellor Klein and the Division of School Facilities’ positions?
• If recycling is part of Local 891 and 32BJ contracts, why aren’t they doing their part?
• Exactly how much does it cost the City to not recycle in schools?
• Expose problems with collection schedules and mechanized vs. curbside collection.
• What do officials envision as a solution? What does our Group hope to accomplish?

Schools all over the U.S. are going green. At the very least, NYC schools should follow the law. But as arguably the greatest city in the world, certainly we should “be the change” and take the lead in demonstrating not only elementary environmental practices, but also exemplary. Currently, we fall terribly short of both.

Thank you for your attention to our passion for our city, our children, and our world. We hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Your Name