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Recycling Waste Reduction for Tribal Schools

Recycling Waste Reduction for Tribal Schools. Virginia Till Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Specialist 303-312-6008 till.virginia@epa.gov. Virginia Till.

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Recycling Waste Reduction for Tribal Schools

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  1. RecyclingWaste Reduction for Tribal Schools Virginia Till Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Specialist 303-312-6008 till.virginia@epa.gov

  2. Virginia Till Virginia is a graduate student at the University of Colorado, Denver. She is studying sustainability and systems thinking in federal agencies and is the Recycling Specialist in the Pollution Prevention and Toxics unit at the Environmental Protection Agency. Virginia is responsible for internal sustainable operations and brings experience in waste mangement, recycling and composting as a member of Region 8’s Green Ops Team.

  3. Objectives Recycling Participants will be able to: n Describe the benefits of recycling at school n Discuss various recycling program options n Describe methods for implementing recycling n Recognize recycling program partners & resources

  4. Why Recycle? A recycling and waste prevention program can: SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT n Reduce local pollution n Minimize greenhouse gas emissions n Divert waste from landfills or incinerators n Comply with recycling mandates and landfill disposal bans

  5. More Reasons to Recycle A recycling and waste prevention program can also: SAVE MONEY n Reduce school solid waste and disposal costs n Bring in revenue through sale of recyclables TEACH AND ENGAGE n Develop collaboration, and n Develop leadership and environmental stewardship skills n Engage community and various community members Adapted from NERC

  6. Steps for Success n Form a Green Team n What is in the Trash? n What’s the Best Fit? n Celebrate Success! n Adapt Program as Needed

  7. Identify Your Resources n The Tribe’s environmental director n Regional and national recycling associations n Other school recycling programs n Free webinars n Newsletters n Local tribal college and university students n Municipal, county and federal government partners n Local and national business organizations

  8. Steps for Success Form a Green Team SCHOOL lSchool Administrators lFacilities staff lTeachers lStudents lParents TRIBE lTribal leaders l Environmental Department COMMUNITY l Community members lGovernment services staff, city and county lLocal businesses and waste disposal services

  9. Steps for Success Study Your Trash Find out what is going into the trash: Who will help? How long will you collect? What are the most common materials? What can be reduced by better buying? What can be reused? What can be recycled?

  10. Before You Recycle Reduce! Use Your Green Team n Tribe’s Environmental Director n Students and Teachers n Community and Tribal Leaders n Facilities Staff and Administrators Find the low hanging fruit easy and cheap changes n Computer and document settings, policy changes n Reuse or donate items

  11. Before You Recycle Reduce! The Solid Waste Management Hierarchy Least Polluting Source: Earth 911 Waste Disposal Most Polluting Earth 911

  12. Before You Recycle Evaluate! Find out - - • n Most common recycle material in school trash • n Most cost-effective materials to recycle • n Local resources for recycling your materials

  13. Before You Recycle Choose n One-Time Collection Event n Annual Collection Event n Ongoing Collection Program How often?

  14. One Time Recycling Events One Step Makes a Big Difference All Tribe Collection Day • Community Group Event • BIA Collection Event • Other? http://www.elmersgluecrew.com/

  15. Annual Recycling Events Make it a School Tradition Earth Day America Recycles Day Classroom Cleanout Day Recycled Material Show EPA Region 9 Success

  16. Recycling Events Options Recycle Rita EPA Region 8’s 2011 Earth Day Funky Junk Fashion Show

  17. Recycling Events Options Bring Your Kid to Work Day EPA Region 8’s Athletic Shoe Collection Event

  18. Ongoing Recycling Program Recycle Year-Round Collect Common Material Make Cost-Effective Plan Find Long-Term Support Adapt Program as Needed

  19. Make a Communication Plan Outreach by the Green Team What do you want people to know? How will you tell them? Ask about their interests. Gather suggestions. Make presentations. Develop fliers. Plan activities.

  20. Make a Communication Plan Newspaper TV Radio Alcoa Recycling Company

  21. Start Your Recycling Program School and Community Effort Involve the Green Team Include everyone else Use as a teaching tool Engage the community Make it fun and easy

  22. Evaluate and Adapt as Needed Did you achieve your goals? Evaluate the program Learn why people recycle Use feedback Seek long term commitment Make it adaptable Make it fun, easy and a tradition

  23. We did it! Celebrate Success Encourage participation and reward success Engage community to celebrate accomplishment Encourage pride in students and the community for recycling Simply starting a program IS a success!

  24. Program Partners Example 1 FREE Resources! • n Technical assistance • n Data management tracking tool • n Annual Climate Profile for school • n Outreach and educational materials • n Use of the WasteWise logo • Receive WasteWise Awards

  25. Program Partners Example 2 FREE Resources! n Choose your waste brigade n Collect the material and send n Get $.02 per unit for charity, school, or prizes

  26. Program Partners Example 3 Resources! n purchase greener computer products n reduce computer environmental impacts n recycle computers responsibly

  27. Program Partners Example 4 Resources! • n litter prevention • n waste reduction and recycling event: America Recycles Day • n beautification

  28. Recycling Resources Partners, Programs and Events http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/wastewise/index.htm http://www.terracycle.net/en-US/ http://www.stateelectronicschallenge.net/ http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Focus_Waste_reduction http://www.epa.gov/wastes/wyl/tribal/ EPA site specific to tribal waste management http://www.epa.gov/osw/wyl/tribal/resource.htmwaste management and tribes – pubs http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/tools.html http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/rrr/ http://www.epa.gov/wastes/education/kids/planetprotectors/index.htmtools for teaching http://www.nerc.org/documents/schools/schools.htmlschool recycling resources http://www.recycle.cc/assn.htm http://nrcrecycles.org/ http://earth911.com/ Technical Assistance

  29. Recycling Questions? Virginia Till Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Specialist 303-312-6008 till.virginia@epa.gov

  30. RecyclingWaste Reduction for Tribal Schools Virginia Till Environmental Protection Agency Recycling Specialist 303-312-6008 till.virginia@epa.gov

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