Edgemont District Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Greenburgh Nature Center: Braeden K. Cohen Pam Miner Anne Jaffe-Holmes.

Edgemont District Waste Reduction and Recycling ProgramGreenburgh Nature Center:Braeden K. CohenPam MinerAnne Jaffe-Holmes

“New York Schools have an important role to play in promoting recycling… Waste reduction and recycling are critical elements of a well-rounded education that incorporates good social and environmental behaviors. For these reasons, I am encouraging all schools to establish or expand waste reduction and recycling

programs.”

-Richard P. Mills, 2007 Commissioner Of Education, New York State

A Call To Action!• Student leaders have already made recycling and composting

a priority• G.O., Environmental Club, FoodSync

• Schools need to provide the necessary infrastructure, training and encouragement for students to reduce and recycle waste during the school day.

• Daily behaviors at school should model real world practices.• NY State Department of Environmental Conservation has set

an ambitious goal of reducing municipal solid waste from 4.6-0.6 lbs/person/day by 2030.

Program Goals• Empower students to put

their knowledge of sustainable behavior into action• Be a leader in

implementing a comprehensive recycling program• Reduce the amount of

waste and environmental costs associated with waste incineration

The Facts- Room for Improvement

• 45% of school waste by weight is food.• Majority of other

waste is:• Compostable paper• Recyclable plastics• Recyclable metal

Recyclable or Compostable

Recyclable or Compostable

Jr./Sr. High School: Food Services Cooperation

Student Cooperation?

Program Description• Food waste and

recycling stations in cafeterias• Clearly labeled waste

and recycling bins throughout the schools• Bottle-filling water

fountains, with bottle-saving counters

Greenacres Elementary, Scarsdale School District

Program Highlights• Organize and train “Green Teams” for each school• Install bottle filling stations in key locations at Jr./Sr. High School.• Educate and train students, faculty and staff• Engage student groups in communication and media campaign• G.O., Environmental Club, Food Sync at Jr./Sr. High School• Recruit and train “Recycling Rangers” at Seely and Greenville

• Place appropriate recycling and food waste bins with CLEAR SIGNAGE in cafeterias and around the schools

• Work with PTA Lunch program heads (and with student leaders at EHS) to reduce waste from vendors

• Communicate with parents about the program; ask for their support in packing snacks and lunches in reusable or recyclable containers

• Train student groups for on-site composting operation

Keys to Success• Green Team organization (representatives: student, teachers,

custodial, kitchen, aides and admin)• The program is only as strong as the school’s Green Team.

• Effective training and motivation for students and staff• Clear, consistent signage and initial monitoring• Cooperation from vendors to reduce waste• Teacher support e.g. curriculum tie-ins to reinforce

sustainable practices in classrooms• Parents’ sending children with reusable lunch/snack

containers

Next steps…• Secure funding for

roll-out and subsequent years• Develop list of Green

Team members at each school• Agree to roll-out

plan:• School by school• Timing

Motivational Ideas• Yearly assembly• Waste reduction

contests (Requires baseline data and continuous tracking)• Inter-grade• Inter-school

• Rewards Programs• Recognition Awards