Recycling/Conservation
Waste Reduction At School
Below are waste reduction suggestions that can be implemented in offices and classrooms
around the school.
Reduce:
•
Use double-sided photocopies to reduce paper consumption.
•
Use overheads, marker boards, or blackboards instead of paper flipcharts for projects and
presentations.
•
Purchase school supplies in bulk.
Reuse:
•
Use refillable pens and pencils.
•
Reuse old cardboard boxes for storage or for packaging materials.
•
Reuse file folders by reversing the folders or applying new labels.
•
Reuse envelopes.
•
Post announcements on central message boards.
•
Use single-sided sheets of paper as scrap paper for calculations or rough notes.
•
Send used books and office equipment to a local charity or social service agency.
Recycle:
•
Set up bins or boxes for fine paper and recyclables in classrooms. Set up recycling bins
for cans and bottles in convenient locations.
•
Try vermicomposting (composting with worms) small quantities of food scraps in the
classroom, perhaps as a part of a science project.
•
Close the recycling loop: use classroom supplies such as writing paper, books, paints, and
toner cartridges that have recycled content.
Waste Reduction Week
Start a Waste Reduction Week at your school. Here are some activity and event ideas that you
can hold in your school to demonstrate your commitment to waste reduction. Each day has
a theme during Waste Reduction Week to help you organize events. Pick just one day or hold
events on each theme day.
Monday is Reduction Day
•
Go on a supermarket tour to review purchasing habits and learn how to recognize and
reduce over packaging.
•
Conduct a classroom or school waste audit.
•
Start a waste reduction newsletter.
COLLEGE SUCCESS TIPS
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