Recycling in schools is important because it cuts down on trash, saves money, and, most importantly, teaches students about recycling.
What tools can we use?
Simply placing recycling bins in each room and explaining their purpose can greatly aid a recycling program. Placing more bins in the lunch areas reinforce the lesson. Instituting composting programs cuts back on organic waste. Buying recycled school supplies is another way to decrease waste. Also, school lunch offerings can be altered. For example, an open, reusable salad bowl instead of individually packaged veggies cuts down on plastic waste. Switching to cardboard or plastic lunch trays allow an increase in recycling or reuse. And opting out of artificial food choices benefits the health of the students and the sustainability of the food sources.
Finally, students can be an asset to their own education. Several schools that work with the Solana Center maintain “Green Teams,” groups of students who are responsible for helping their classmates remember to recycle and compost.
Yes, there is. By making school lunches more eco-friendly, and by continuing encouragements to recycle and compost, major gains in lunch waste reduction can be achieved.
