Kids as Eco-Advocates: A students’ guide to getting your school on board the recycling train

A greener future starts now with our students. As parents, we can encourage our kids to build eco-conscious habits and advocate for greener living. As students, our kids can influence others to make greener choices through the actions they take themselves. Taking the initiative to start a recycling program at school is an awesome way to help the environment, show everyone the importance of recycling and get both peers & teachers excited about going green. The goal of this article is to give your young planet-protector a guide to starting, strengthening, or advocating for recycling programs within their schools. 

 

This information is brought to you in partnership with the Stark, Tuscarawas, 

Wayne Joint Solid Waste District..

Step 1: Assemble a green team

Tackling the recycling program at your school can be a big job! Make it fun- grab a few friends and maybe a teacher that are interested in helping with your initiative. 

Step 2: Assess the need..

Take a day or two and really observe your school. Examine the recycling programs that are in place and pay attention to your peers. While you do, ask yourself these questions: 

1. What recycling systems does my school have in place? 
2. Is there an opportunity to start a new recycling program?
3. If there are already active recycling systems in place, can any of these systems be improved?

When you look around the lunchroom you might see many students drinking out of plastic bottles, but you don’t see any accessible plastic recycling bins. You may see that there are plastic recycling bins all over your school, but your fellow students aren’t usually inclined to use them.. Once you’ve identified a need, your team can start brainstorming ways that you could make a difference. 

Step 3: Form a plan.. 

This part is going to take the most brain power.. but the plan is crucial! Being prepared with an organized plan is the best way to get things done effectively. Plus, you’ll need a plan to present to your school administration for approval before you can take action. So let’s break it down..

1. Hone in on your goal. In step two you identified a need. Now it’s time to find a solution to that need. (For example, if you had recognized a lack of recycling bins- your biggest goal will be getting bins to put in key high traffic areas.) 
2. Do a little research. Check the Stark-Tuscarawas-Wayne Joint Solid Waste Districts website for all the information you’ll need about what you should focus on recycling, how it should be recycled and where it can be taken. 
3.  Lay out your game plan. Get down to the nitty gritty details here. You’ll need to include details such as..

                          -Where you’ll get recycling bins.

                          -What materials should be recycled in those bins.

                          -Which areas of your school are going to receive the bins.

                          -How you plan to spread the word and get the rest of the school on board.

                            (i.e do you plan to hang flyers or informational posters?)

                         -How your green team will keep the program running- who will collect the                                   recycled material and how will it get to a waste management plant.

All of the important details about the changes you wish to make should be included in your plan. This plan is going to help your educators understand your goals so they can jump on board!

Step 4: Get approval..

Once you’ve got a solid plan, you’ll need to take your plan to your schools’ administration to get approval. Speak to your principal- share your plan and why it’s important. With the green light from your school’s administration, you can start making things happen! 

(If your school is starting from ground zero and getting a program up and running is going to require a lot of resources- let your school administration know that there are resources and grants available for recycling programs in schools. They can find more information Here on the EPA’s website.)  

Step 5: Execute your plan & spread the word! 

You’ve done all the research and gotten the green light- now you get to take action! Get your bins out, put your systems in place and spread the word..

By this point you and your team are experts on your recycling program. You know what can be recycled and how to recycle it. Put that knowledge on some posters and share it with your fellow students. Make clear signage to go near bins and encourage your peers to recycle. Advocating for your recycling program and sustainable living in general is going to make a huge difference!

Whether you’re putting new programs in place or trying to strengthen the ones you already see, putting effort into your school’s recycling program is a meaningful way to contribute to sustainability. By taking this initiative you not only help reduce waste but also set an example for your peers and surrounding community. Your efforts could have a ripple effect that can make a significant difference in your community. 

Act today and empower everyone to work together for a greener future!

 The Recycling District assures safe and sanitary disposal of solid waste for the residents of Stark, Tuscarawas, and Wayne Counties. Their goal is to reduce reusable or renewable wastes from entering landfills within the district. The Solid Waste District accomplish this through the development of residential and industrial programs that educate, promote, provide, implement, and improve recycling opportunities that will preserve landfill space now and into the future. Visit www.timetorecycle.org for more information.