General+Recycling+Resources

**​ This site has a variety of resources that covers the broad category of recycling. This site has everything you need to get a recycling program started in your school: **
EPA Resource site


 * What's it all about?**
 * **Reduce**—Combat the problem at the source! Through education and consumer choices, reduce the waste we generate. — If we don't make it, we won't have to get rid of it! Example: buying bulk cereal to reduce or eliminate packaging, buy from milk brands that recollect and reuse glass bottles.
 * **Reuse**—Many things can be used again, either for the same or a different purpose, instead of throwing it away. Reusing not only gives new life to an object, but keeps perfectly usable items out of the landfills. "One man's trash is another man's treasure". Examples: donating to and buying from thrifclothing stores, holding garage sales, using old food containers such as a yogurt cup as tupperware, or an old t-shirt as cleaning rags.
 * **Recycle**—If reducing and reusing still generate "waste", think again...it may be recycled! Perhaps the raw material of the item can be recycled (broken down into its components and reshaped) to form the same or new product. Since recycling can involve a series of complicated processess, and use a lot more energy and resources than reducing and reusing...do those two first!
 * **Rot (or Compost)** —Think of it as the "recycling" of "natural materials." Organic matter (food waste, yard clippings etc) are easily broken down back into soil by the bacteria and other microrganisms that naturally inhabit a rotting pile. Reduce organics out of the waste stream and put the nutritious soil back into your garden or house plants. You can compost with (vermicomposting) or without worms and in size from a demo box in the classroom to a bin in the backyard. Some cities also collect your ?green waste? such as yard clippings to compost in one large site. (Also see projects under Gardening)
 * **Closing the Loop**— recycling is only effective in waste reduction if the recycled material is used! Closing the loop means buying products made with recycled materials over those made with raw materials. ECO-nomics :If people don't buy (and demand) recycled products, there won't be a market (or supply) for it, leaving recycled materials unused and recycledproducts uncompetitive (Supply and Demand, remember?).
 * **Hazardous and Toxics**—These are materials that need special attention because of the harm they can pose to human health and the environment. Many items in the household and others we encounter on a daily basis are either hazardous or toxic (motor oil, paint, commom household cleaners). Avoid or reducing these items. If you must use them, make sure they are disposed of properly

(Projects...from simple start to biggies)
 * What are projects we can do?**
 * Within your club/class/EarthTeam, educate members about this issue..make a presentation yourselves on what you already know, or ask a local expert to visit you. Plan a field trip to your local waste facility. See "Resources below for contacts."
 * Hold a recycling can drive (sorta like a canned food drive), sell the cans to a local buy back center/company, get a little $$$ and celebrate your efforts with a party or fun trip! This should get people interested!!!
 * Hold a "Swap-Day" at school, exchanging unwanted items for something else.
 * Sponsor a "recycled art" contest and see who can be the most creative with pre-used items.
 * If the school has a functional recycling pick-up system already, try getting teachers in your classes to recycle in the classroom . Be creative: compete between classes and give prizes. If there is no good system in school yet, get teachers to reduce and reuse, which may get interest and support to eventually set up a system.
 * Home/School waste audit ...look at practices of students and staff at school. How much waste is generated? How much recycled? How much recyclables in waste? etc Looking at current practice and behavior is step one in making the change.
 * Getting a recycling program at your school. Can be done by classes or a club.

(excerpted from CIWMB's "Settiing Up a School Waste Prevention and Recycling Program". For a step-by-step guide, you can view/download the entire document at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications/reduce/32197004.doc OR go to www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications, choose "Waste Prevention/Reduction" category to find doc. #321-97-004)
 * GENERAL HOW TO FOR STARTING A RECYCLING PROGRAM**


 * Getting Started**
 * Select a Green Team
 * Gain Support from School
 * Make Local contacts
 * Determine Resources
 * Determine Your Waste Stream
 * Determine What Will Be Recycled
 * Have a Written Plan
 * Track Your Material
 * Publicize the Program
 * Contracting for Recycling Services
 * Implementing the Program
 * Waste Prevention Activities for Classrooms and Offices
 * Food Service Waste Reduction
 * In the Classroom/School
 * As You Move Forward
 * Provide Feedback and Keep Momentum
 * Troubleshooting
 * Expanding Your Program

This is a great site that gives a very complete list of all the things that can be recycled and what you can do with them! You will be surprised what can be recycled! Wow, you can recycle that?

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 * Schoolhouse Rock! Earth: The Trash Can Band**