Recycling in Schools | Schools Recycling | Recycle at School

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Before setting up a recycling system in your school, it’s a good idea to see what type of waste the school is producing and where it’s coming from. A simple waste audit will answer these questions. If your school is not already registered maybe consider registering your school with An Taisce’s Green Schools programme (to find out more see below).

Teacher's can download free resources to use withen the classroom.

School Waste Audit

WHERE IS MOST OF THE WASTE GENERATED?
Knowing where most of the waste and what type of waste is generated will help you know the best places to place recycle and compost bins. Just like at home, think of other rooms in the school where waste comes from, not just the class room. There’s the staff room, playground, car park and canteen too.
WHAT TYPE OF WASTE IS PRODUCED?
If you know what type of waste is generated, you’ll know what type and how many recycle bins you’ll need. Generally you will need a recycle bin for dry recyclables like cardboard, paper and beverage containers; another for general waste; and maybe one for compostable waste. If you do not have a compost waste collection maybe you can set up a compost bin in your school garden.

Now that you know where the waste comes from and what type it is, you can set up a really efficient recycling system:

Bin Locations

Place recycle bins as close as possible to where the waste is coming from.
Make the decision to recycle easy for everyone. Put the recycle bin beside the general waste bin. Then it’s just a matter of placing the waste in the correct bin without having to go somewhere else to recycle it.

Types of recycling points

Your school waste audit will tell you what type, size and how many recycling bins you need. Do you need recycling bins for paper and cardboard recycling,food materials recycling, glass recycling and plastic recycling?
Try not to clutter the school with recycling bins. Many contractors collect recycling materials altogether, so you may not have to separate all recycling materials. Check how your contractor collects the materials and then set up the recycling bins to match collection. Who will empty the schools recycling bins? You may have a caretaker, but why not rotate responsibility for emptying the recycling bins between the classes? This way you will be able to see your recycling results and make sure that everyone is using the recycling bins correctly.

Label the bins

Don't forget to let people know which bin is for which type of recycling material, by labelling the recycling bins correctly and listing some of the recycling materials that can go into each recycling bin. This could be a fun class activity! And why not put up some signs throughout your school, directing people to the recycling bin locations as well.

Visit our Fun Zone where you will find recycling games and posters.