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San Diego City Schools Recycling Program . Goal: To Reach a 50% Recycling Rate by 2005. Findings From 2000 Waste Audit. Close to $1,000,000 in trash disposal and mixed paper collection costs (less than $2.45/YD) 900, 3-cubic-yard-bins at 200 sites (176 schools)
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San Diego City SchoolsRecycling Program Goal: To Reach a 50% Recycling Rate by 2005
Findings From 2000 Waste Audit • Close to $1,000,000 in trash disposal and mixed paper collection costs (less than $2.45/YD) • 900, 3-cubic-yard-bins at 200 sites (176 schools) • 59% of total wastestream is paper • Recyclables are contaminated in the classroom
Barriers to Implementation • Can not use instructional minutes for recycling education • Varying generation over large geographic area (huge system) • Budget cuts limit custodial involvement • No SDCS implementation funds • Schools need money
B E G • Better form strategic partnerships • Eagerly seek donations • Grant writing
Highest Priorities • Institutionalize recycling education at each school campus • Increase mixed paper recycling • Provide an incentive to recycle
Plan: Implement Educational Clubs at All Schools • Must be done during non-instructional minutes • Students operate beverage container recycling program (keep revenue from sale of materials) • Educate campus about district recycling programs • Monitor paper bins for contamination
Conservation Club Beverage Container Recycling Program • Sponsored by the California Department of Conservation • Keep California Beautiful (KCB) grant buys 188 recycling bins, locks, signage and 4,000 lids • Pacific Waste Services donates 4,000 red recycling bins • Form conservation clubs at middle/high schools through ASB’s/after school clubs
Conservation Club Beverage Container Recycling Program • Urban Corps of San Diego educates and provides container collection • City of San Diego provides one presentation to each club utilizing their education contract • San Diego Baykeeper provides club 20 presentations
Planet Protector Beverage Container Recycling Program • Sponsored by the California Department of Conservation • SDCS buys 400 recycling bins, locks and 1,000 jackets with DOC grant • Use 2,000 Pacific Waste Services donated red recycling bins and lids
Planet Protector Beverage Container Recycling Program • Form Planet Protector Clubs at elementary schools through after-school program • EPA provides 2,000 educational packets • City of San Diego provides one presentation to each club and buses selected Planet Protectors to EnviroSchool
Volunteers Lead Club Meetings • Facilitate a 45-minute club meeting monthly until the end of the school year • During the meeting, lead an environmental awareness activity • During the meeting, teach the students how to recycle on campus • Serve as a liaison between the SDCS recycling office and the school site
Restructure Trash/ Mixed Paper Collection Contract • Paper collected free of charge with revenue tied to an index • Waste hauler to collect landscape materials and trash • Optional food collection
Payment for Paper • School will be paid by the weight of the paper in each bin • Recycling truck has scales that weigh the amount of paper at the time of pickup • School will receive a check by the 15th of each month for the paper recycled in the previous month
District Savings The District saves in two ways: • Free collection of recyclables • Trash bins are emptied less, therefore the district pays less • This program alone saves the District more than $300,000 per year • Public agency clause
Recycling Programs to Reach 50% • Paper • Mixed Beverage Containers • Wood and Wooden Pallets • Metal • Food • Concrete/Asphalt • Donations/Reuse
Closing Remarks • Significant barriers surmounted by partnerships, education and incentives • District will reach a 50% recycling rate and save more that $475,000 once fully implemented