How To Start and Run an Awesome Recycling Program in Your School

Getting a recycling program started in your school can be difficult, but very rewarding. Here are some of the steps you can take:1. Set up a meeting with your Assistant Principal or Principal.

• Ask if you can start a recycling program in your school.
• Let your principal know not only is a good thing to do for the environment, but also it is a great educational and community-building project.
• You can also let your principal know that a strong recycling project could make your school eligible for grants and awards.

 2. Set up a meeting with your Head Custodial Engineer.

• Tell your Custodial Engineer your principal has approved starting a recycling project in your school.They may be reluctant because of
• Ask if he/she will buy recycling bins for every classroom.
• Ask if he/she will purchase 32-gallon recycling bins with rollers for every floor. If they can't, write a Donor's Choose Proposal.

3. Contact your local Department of Sanitation Garage.

• Your school's DOS Garage (for some school's it may be Waste Management) is in charge of your recycling pick-up, and they know what recycling schedule is. (Your Head Custodian may not know and it's always good to double check!) Every school's recycling pick-up type and schedule is different. For example, a school can have dumpster paper recycling collection once a week, but curbside (no dumpster) glass, metal and plastic recycling only twice a week.
• Call 311 to get the number for your local Garage.
• Ask them what your school's recycling pick-up type and schedule is. Be sure to ask: "What is our school's paper recycling set up for dumpster or curbside collection? What days of the week is the paper recycling picked up? What is our school's container recycling set up for dumpster or curbside collection? What days of the weeks is the paper recycling picked up?

4. Design a recycling program that will work for your school.

• Your recycling system will depend on your school. Many schools have found the best programs are run by students.

5. Order the supplies you need to make the program work.

• It is best to remove all of the old recycling cans that have been used for garbage and start fresh. You may also need to order trash cans if there aren't any.
• Here is a list of recycling supplies you could create or purchase to jump-start your program.
• You can get FREE recycling decals and other cool materials from the Department of Sanitation NYCWasteLe$$ program.

6. Talk with each Custodian about the new recycling program.

• Let them know how the program will work.
• Tell them they will be responsible for collecting the paper from each floor and placing it in the proper bin.
• Ask them to take the glass, metal and plastic to the curb on the allocated days.
• Ask them to keep an eye on whether or not the recycling is picked up when it's supposed to.

7. Talk with the kitchen staff about the new program.

• Let them know how the program will work.
• Help them designate a kitchen recycling station.
• Give them decals to label their station.
• Make sure they have the right recycling materials like bins and bags.

8. Talk with the staff in charge of lunch periods.

• Set up a milk container recycling system.

9. Announce the program to the whole school.

• Write a letter to the staff announcing the new recycling program.
• Send a letter home announcing the new program.
• Have a recycling assembly.