Presentation to: Blind Brook School District January 5, 2015 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

January 5, 2015

Presentation to: Blind Brook School District

Discussion Points

n What is the problem with waste management in schools? n How can we solve the problem? n Why are We Future Cycle programs an important part of

the solution?

This is Lunch Waste of Just One School…

Quick Facts

n School are exclusively using disposables in lunchroom, and

students are mindlessly throwing everything out at the end of lunch

n Districts are spending an enormous amount of money

annually on waste removal, waste transportation, garbage bags, etc

n A school with 1,000 students generates 20-25 bags of garbage

during lunch every day

n School waste decreases by 90-95% when sorted into recyclable

and compostable streams:

• 60-65% into composting
• 25% as commingled recycling
• 10% as waste liquids

We Future Cycle Solves These Problems

n Has programs running at 22

Westchester schools in 8 school districts

n Developed a proven model of

assisting schools implement a comprehensive resource recovery program that meets its environmental, social and financial goals

n Presented to and endorsed by

the Westchester Municipal Officials Association and Westchester Board of Legislators

What Gets Thrown Out at Lunch?

What Gets Thrown Out In the Building?

Building Wide Source Separation

The Solution to the Problem

Simply sort out recyclables and compostables at the source

Step 1: Liquids

Milk cartons

Sink TBD 2015 Recyling Center Municipal recycling Compost Trays Compost

The System

Juice pouches

Terracycle Step 3: Food, napkins, brown bags

The 3-Step System Where it All Goes

Step 2: Drink & Food Packaging

Hard plastics, metal & glass (commingled)

Step 1: Empty Liquids

Elementary schools with 600 students generate about 10 gallons of excess fluids per day. That is 15,500lbs per school year.

Step 2: Sort Drink Containers

Step 3: Food Leftovers & Napkins

60-65% of waste is compostable. A school of 600 students produces 150lbs food waste per day.

Impact of Source Separation

25 bags of trash becomes… Compostable Trays & Food Commingled Recycling Milk Cartons

What Trash is Left?

n Straws n Yogurt, ketchup n Very soiled plastic bags

In a school of 1,000 students, this can amount to less than ¼ bag of actual trash!!

And, by working with food service and extending learning to parents who often included non-recyclables in kids’ school lunches, we have reduced straw usage, eliminated ketchup pouches, and seen drastic reductions in plastic baggy usage.

Credit: All Parenting

Implementation of a Share Basket & Donating Food

Share Basket Donate Unserved Food to Local Pantry or Soup Kitchen

How We Future Cycle Works in Schools

• 1. We conduct site visits to tailor the recycling program to address your

schools’ unique operations and logistics

• 2. We train and supervise staff, including custodial and kitchen staff,

lunchroom monitors, faculty, as well as students for the implementation

• f the resource recovery program at your school
• 3. We provide signage and communications to extend program

understanding throughout the school community, including parents

• 4. We offer a maintenance program:

n to ensure continued, effective implementation of the recycling

program

n to measure program impact on trash volume, reduced need for

garbage pick-ups, etc.

n to extend learning about environmental responsibility into the

classroom

Additional Programs: Educational Composting Program

From this… …to this - in 60 days!

Additional Programs: Waste Free Snack Program

Additional Programs: TerraCycle Ambassador Program

Additional Programs: E-Waste Education

Anna Giordano anna@wefuturecycle.com