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

2. -Richard P. Mills, 2007 Commissioner Of Education, New York State
“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, Commissioner Of Education, New York State
Waste reduction and recycling has been a priority of the National EPA, State DEC, and State DOE for 3 decades now. This is nothing new. However, as a community, State and Nation it is even more imperative that we educate our children about these best practices that are LAW!

3. 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 lbs/person/day by 2030.

4. 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

5. The Facts- Room for Improvement
45% of school waste by weight is food.
Majority of other waste is:
Compostable paper
Recyclable plastics
Recyclable metal

6. Recyclable or Compostable

7. Recyclable or Compostable

8. Jr./Sr. High School: Food Services Cooperation
It is important to give credit where credit is due. Debby Ramos, kitchen head has taken numerous steps to reduce lunch time waste. Notably:
They use recyclable or paper containers that could be composted.
They have switched to “batch” cooking, which has helped them greatly reduced their waste.
----- Meeting Notes (1/26/15 11:55) -----
Bring samples from lunch materiials and bring the kitchen caddy

9. Student Cooperation?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Motivational Ideas Yearly assembly
Waste reduction contests (Requires baseline data and continuous tracking)
Inter-grade
Inter-school
Rewards Programs
Recognition Awards