School recycling programs overseas

For example, Zero Waste South Australia provides teachers with resources aimed at students from early years through to middle school. Other state government and non-government organisations offer a range of materials that not only help schools become more effective in teaching students about recycling, but in becoming better recyclers too.

Between and , Waste Smart schools in Victoria put learning into practice and diverted the equivalent of 8, garbage trucks worth of waste from landfill.

They also achieved some impressive energy and water savings. Despite all the resources, the sad fact is while some schools enthusiastically embrace recycling and sustainability in a structured way, many do not.

Often recycling is limited to paper. A wide range of other recyclable items, some of which contain pretty nasty materials, end up being tossed in the general waste stream. Without better education on the hazards of many materials, such as the mercury in fluorescent lighting and heavy metals in batteries and electronic waste, we are depriving the next generation of the knowledge it needs to make better waste disposal decisions.

Plus semester-long virtual programs take your involvement up a notch. For example, the spring campaign is about reducing plastic. Teams are paired with a mentor and tasked with creating a campaign to reduce plastic, including the creation of a pitch video. The winning teams receive grants to fund their campaigns. Every little bit adds up to major savings! You can take any of your old electronics to a local store, no matter what condition they are in, and they will recycle it for you.

This would be a great initiative to do to recycle old equipment at your school. Or you could offer to be a collection site for your community. One of the easiest ways to encourage charitable giving and recycling in schools is by getting kids involved in a pop-tab collection program that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities RMHC.

Set out containers in your classroom or throughout your school—maybe even turn it into a recycling contest between classrooms—and encourage students to collect tabs from family and friends and bring them to school. This is a great opportunity to help raise money for RMHC and teach kids about recycling! The gently worn, used and new shoes you collect go to micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries who sell them to support their family.

In return for your fundraising efforts, your school or organization will receive a check! Crazy Crayons offers a national Crayon Recycle Program for individuals and schools. Just send your crayons into the address provided, and they will turn them into repurposed, adorable crayon sets.

You can get free recycling printables, games, resources, and more. To schedule a HRRA program at your site, email: education hrra. All schools in Connecticut are required by state law to recycle ten mandated items. Recycling Education. Did you Know?