Below is a collection of resources to help you with establishing a waste reduction program at your school or school district. Interested in more direct support? Contact Us. We are also proud to be a Green & Healthy School-WI Provider!
 

Waste Related Resources​

• Becoming Stewards-Your Waste Management Stream by Into the Outdoors (2019). Waste management and recycling experts around Wisconsin partnered on this excellent resource for teachers working with Discover Media Works. This segmented video is paired with curriculum resources providing a perfect companion for teaching your students about where our waste goes and how it is handled. 

• Recycling and Waste Reduction – A Guide for Schools by Wisconsin DNR

  • Shares 5 steps to creating a successful recycling program

• Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin by Wisconsin DNR and WI DPI

  • Empowers, supports, and recognizes schools for nurturing healthy kids and sustainable communities. They have a support page with resources related to Recycling & Waste Management in Schools.

  • We provide support to this program serving as the Focus Area Contact in Recycling & Waste Management. 

• Tools to Reduce Waste In Schools by the EPA

  • Ideas for schools, districts, and school business officials on ways to reduce waste and cut costs. 

• School Waste Reduction, Composting and Recycling by NERC

  • Contains resources that were developed to support waste reduction, recycling and composting in schools.  Materials like ready-to-use templates, fundraising tips & ideas, etc.​

• Zero Waste Resources for Schools by Seven Generations Ahead​

  • We prefer to say "Zero Landfill" vs "Zero Waste," but all in all, there are many ways to strive to reduce waste in schools. Seven Generations Ahead has great tips including, curriculum, bin signs, tips on end of the year clean-out, and audits. Note: Materials are created for Illinois Schools. Some laws may be different in Wisconsin.

 

Cafeteria & School Foods

• Cafeteria Trash is Cash ~ Webinar (2/122/19): Carton Council of North America & Recyclers Association of Minnesota. Susan Schuller of Recycling Connections as one of the guest speakers.  

• Smart Lunchrooms by Cornell University. Research-based resources, tools, images, and ideas to improve nutritional food options and efficient waste streams in your school cafeteria. ​

• Recycling Milk Cartons and Juice Containers in Schools by Carton Council.Great lesson ideas, resources, and tips to launch or support your carton recycling program. 

• Sharing the Table: A Roadmap to Reducing and Recovering Surplus Food in Schools (2019) by the Center for Green Schools 

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Waste Characterizations /Waste Audits

• Guide to Conducting Student Food Waste Audits (2017) by EPA and USDA

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: 2009 Wisconsin State Wide Waste Characterization Study

• CalRecycle’s Waste Composition

  • Full of resources and information to help you successfully perform a waste characterization study.

• Green School Audit by Growing a Green Family

  • Great tips and resources on how to go about auditing your schools waste.

• Seeing Green Through Waste Prevention:  A Guide for School Districts (1999)

  • This guide illustrates waste prevention practices that others have found effective in reducing waste and, with few exceptions, in cutting costs.

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Composting & Vermicomposting

• Guide to Composting Onsite at Schools (2018) Institute for Local Self-Reliance

  • This guide gives the basics of composting in a 2- or 3-bin system at K-12 schools. 

• The Soil Story by Kiss the Ground

  • Excellent 3 minute video about regenerative agriculture for climate solutions. Ties the concept of agriculture, ​compost, and soil health together for climate solutions.

• School Composting: The next step in Recycling (2002) Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

  • This is a 98 page guide that walks you through setting up a composting program at your school step-by-step.  This was designed for Connecticut schools but the process can be used anywhere.

• Cornell University: Composting in Schools site

  • Cornell is well known for their composting resources.  This site provides resources, guidelines, and even curriculum ideas.

• Journey to Forever: School Composting

  • A great list of resources to help you plan your school composting program and lessons for teaching composting concepts.

• EZ Worm Composting Bin Design

• Plastic Tote DIY Worm Bins - Step-by-Step Instructions

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Waste Reduction & Recycling Fundraisers

• TerraCycle

  • TerraCycle works with more than 100 major brands in the U.S. and 22 countries overseas to collect used packaging and products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new, innovative materials and products that are available online and through major retailers.

  • Recycling items like: Capri Sun packaging, candy wrapper, Starbucks coffee bags, pens & markers, and many other packaging containers.

• Planet Green

  • Recycling ink & toner cartridges, cell phones and small electronics

• Evolve

  • Recycling ink & toner cartridges, cell phones and small electronics

• Funding Factory

  • Recycling ink & toner cartridges, cell phones and small electronics

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General Information

• Greening Your Classroom - Powerpoint presented by Susan Schuller (2019)

• Wisconsin Schools Data: http://www.localschooldirectory.com/state-schools/WI

• WI-DNR Regional Waste Management Specialists: click here

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