MODULE 7 Sharpen the Saw

 

Welcome back recycling advocates! This is our seventh iteration of promoting recycling in schools to prevent unnecessary waste from entering landfills. This week it is interesting to note that its “estimated 24% of school waste could be recycled paper and 50 % could be composted food waste.” (Lober, 2021). This week’s focus is on how to get our schools to a high level of recycling by reflecting on and building the recycling schools of the future. There are several guides and resources out there like the one from The National Wildlife Federation that is in the resources below (EPA, 2020). Its important to note that last year the United States celebrated its 50^th Anniversary of Earth day where around 20 million people worked together to recycle on behalf of mother earth! (Nature, 2020)

We have come so far since the 1970s where recycling first started its real movement. On bctv.org they state “As the environmental movement of the 1970s built momentum, so too did recycling. In 1980, Woodbury, New Jersey became the first city to mandate recycling.” (Lober, 2021). What do you value? Is it reducing and recycling not only limits our impact on the planet but also lowers the amount of unnecessary waste in our landfills? According to downtoeart.org “Recycling saves energy and water, lowers pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improves air and water quality, preserves landfill space and conserves natural resources.” (McKay, 2012)

As educators and administrators, you hold the power to develop and shape the school's recycling program to your needs. Have you taken the time to reflect on what you would do?  Do you need to educate yourself on programs already in place? If so, you can look at the publication I posted below that gives a ton of resources you can use to form a program that is perfect for your school's needs. If so, have looked into the EPA’s guidelines on conducting a waste audit. This can be a new way to align your school with a program that is best suited for their needs.

For my parting words this week I issue a new kind of call to action. I challenge you to reflect on what you know and do when it comes to recycling. Are you the kind of person who sees trash and picks it up? Or maybe the person who states “That isn’t my job so I refuse to pick it up”. I challenge you (teachers) to look at the resources I have provided below and start a program or a movement on your school's recycling program. Finally, I want you to reach out to me via email or a comment on this post letting me know what you have realized.

 

References

EPA, (2020, October 29). Reuse+Recycling=Waste Reduction. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Eco-schools/school.ashx

Lober, D. (2017, October 26). Helpful guide to recycling waste at school. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.reusethisbag.com/articles/guide-to-recycling-at-school

McKay, M. (2012, July 02). Recycling… more than just a good idea! Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.downtoearth.org/environment/reuse-reduce-recycle/recycling-more-just-good-idea#:~:text=Recycling%20saves%20energy%20and%20water,and%20then%20throw%20them%20away!

Nature, B. (2020, April 23). Earth day Reflections: WASTE, Indicator: Recycling rate. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from https://www.bctv.org/2020/04/23/earth-day-reflections-waste-indicator-recycling-rate/

Unknown Author, (2018). Reducing and recycling of plastic waste in schools. Retrieved March 01, 2021, from https://deq.nd.gov/Publications/WM/ReducingAndRecyclingPlasticWasteInSchools.pdf

Media Reference

Google. (n.d). [image of Think before you recycle] Retrieved March, 01, 2021

Fromhttps://www.google.com/search?q=photo+think+recycling&rlz=1C1CHF_enKR788KR788&sxsrf=ALeKk03hmyYpRFE7jTsIa7o70Qxa29KDkA:1614717215799&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiEpr2wupLvAhXRvJ4KHeLfAXsQ_AUoAnoECBAQBA&biw=992&bih=696