NYC Public Schools Recycling Champions
- Recycling Champions
- School Recycling Partners
- Set-up School Recycling
- Set-up Cafeteria Recycling
- Download Presentations
- Download Signs & Posters
- Host a Presenter or Workshop
- Explore Lessons & Activities
- Find Field Trips & Volunteer
- Host a Recycling Drive
- Watch Videos & Media
- Win Contests and Grants
- More School Sustainability
The goal of Recycling Champions is to provide NYC schools with the tools needed to integrate a sustainable recycling program into every school day. That's why we work with multiple schools in all five boroughs, the NYC Department of Education Sustainability Initiative, and Department of Sanitation, to develop best practices for school recycling. Is your school a Recycling Champion?
The NYC DOE Sustainability Initiative's goal is to double the recycling rate by 2013. Recycling Champions is here to help schools exceed that goal. The turnkey resources available on this site are a result of our hands-on involvement with faculty, administration, students, custodians, and parents.
How Recycling Champions works in NYC Public Schools
Participating schools are identified with the help of City agencies as having a lagging recycling program, but a dedicated administration. Working with the school's Sustainability Coordinator, goals are established for the recycling program along with a 2-3 month timeline for meeting the goals.
Ensuring a school has the necessary bins and signage located in the right areas is an important first step. Faculty are then involved through professional development or workshops. Outreach to students can happens through classroom activities and lessons, auditorium events, Green Team outreach, guest speakers, and more. Parents and the surrounding community will be involved through recycling drives or campaigns, and events. Custodians are also assisted with any logistical issues that may arise.
Recycling Champions Highlights
- 2010-2011, worked with 17 schools, grades K-12, in 10 campus buildings throughout NYC’s five boroughs
- Through these 17 schools, Recycling Champions reached 8,013 students and 643 classroom teachers
- In partnership with the NYC DOE Sustainability Initiative and Department of Sanitation trained:
- Over 400 NYC DOE Sustainability Coordinators
- Over 1,200 NYC DOE Custodian Engineers
Seeing is Believing: Recycle More Paper!
NYC only recycles half of what it could. Every year NYC residents throw away 400,000 tons of recyclable paper, that's enough to fill the Empire State Building. Here's a short History Channel video about where most of NYC’s paper recycling goes: