Ways to Reduce Waste At Your School
Courtesy of: New York City Department of Sanitation,
Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling

Ever think to yourself while going through your busy day, “boy, we really do waste a lot of stuff here at school.” With over 100,000 students, teachers, and administrators, Hamilton County schools produce hundreds of thousands of tons of solid waste every year. There are many ways to reduce the amount of waste generated at your school. Think about how you, your friends, and family can help your school help the environment. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Reduce waste at lunch
• Use a lunch box or reusable lunch bag.
• Avoid pre-assembled lunch kits with excess packaging you just throw away.
• Pack your sandwich or salad in a reusable container.
• If you buy lunch in the cafeteria, take only what you need so you don’t end up
  throwing away food or extra condiments.
• Pack beverages in a thermos or reusable container.

Schedule a school-wide exchange or rummage sale
• Partner with your school’s PTA or science club to help coordinate the event. If your
  event produces a profit, you can use the money for a school trip, equipment, or a
  special environmental project.

Circulate memos via routing slips instead of sending out individual copies, or use email as much as possible, and only print out what is necessary

Reduce school bus idling and improve air quality
• In general, turning off and starting an engine uses less gasoline than letting it idle for
  more than 30 seconds.
• Toxic chemicals in diesel emissions increase the risk of asthma and diseases of the
  heart and lungs, and are responsible for as many as 125,000 cancers nationwide.
  Research has shown that students on school buses are exposed to significant levels
  of particulate pollution, according to www.nyc.gov.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that diesel fumes contain
  40 toxic chemicals, including 15 carcinogens.

Have a garbage free lunch challenge
• Have a contest to see which lunch period throws away the least amount of waste.