Page 17 - 2017-2018_Spotlight

NOVEMBER 2017

S I M P L E S O L U T I O N S F O R I M P R O V I N G R E C Y C L I N G R A T E S

RECYCLING is arguably one of the easiest ways to contribute to We know that improvements to
protecting the environment and many of our schools do an excellent job recycling can be achieved through
recycling. Unfortunately, there’s a large gap between the recycling rates of education, public awareness, and
our top performing schools and those whose numbers don’t look as well. So, the existence of proper recycling
how do we close that gap? What can be done to encourage all MCPS students infrastructure. Each school faces
and staff are recycling as best they can? unique challenges but together, we
can find solutions for each one.
Addressing this gap and exploring ways to transform student/staff recycling
behavior over the long term is something that the SERT program has been Over the next few months, we will
focused on for more than a decade. What we’ve learned over the years is share strategies for increasing your
that instead of recycling being a conscious decision, it is most often part of an recycling participation, starting with
instinctive routine. It’s one that is incorporated into our normal daily lifestyle. the following steps to building a
Closing the gap between good intentions and reality means that more successful recycling program.
students and staff need to make a commitment to recycle.

B I N S L A B E L S L I D S

First, familiarize yourself with what Recycling is far too important an Did you know that when recycled
is and isn’t recyclable in MCPS. Next, act for it to be confusing. When materials aren’t put in the proper
think about the types of recycling bins aren’t properly labeled, it’s bin, or when trash is put in a
that’s being produced in your difficult for students and staff to recycling bin, the entire bin has to be
school. Do you have paper and know what should go into them. put in the trash?
commingled recycling
Adding our color-coded labels to One simple way to avoid this issue is
bins in your hallways,
your bins is a great way to promote to make sure that your commingle
offices, classrooms,
your program and educate and paper recycling bins have the
multi-purpose rooms
students and ensures material is proper lids on them identifying what
and outdoors? Use
sorted properly. These new labels should be placed in that bin. The
the recycling audit
match the tops of the recycling and color-coded lids make it easy for
form to help
trash bin lids for quick recognition. students and staff to learn that blue
determine your
Order labels via Maximo. = paper, green = commingle, and
needs.
red = trash! Order lids via Maximo.

SCHOOL ENERGY AND RECYCLING TEAM 3