With the start of a new school year, it seems like everything is new. Whether that’s a new backpack, new classes, or new teachers. We’re here to tell you that it’s OK to recycle things every now and then (literally). Let’s just make sure you’re recycling right! Here are a few tips to keep in mind at school and at home.
1. Switch to reusable containers
By using reusable containers for lunch, snacks, and drinks you can eliminate plastic bags, pouches, and other non-recyclables. Plastic bags have no place in our recycling system. They can clog up our machinery and shut down production for the day.
2. Limit disposable items
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the typical student in the United States creates 67 pounds of discarded lunch packaging waste per nine-month school year. Almost 45% of the materials sent to the landfill in our country are food-related packaging and containers.
You can reduce waste by removing those common throw-away lunchbox items. Paper napkins, straws, and plastic utensils aren’t recyclable. Try using cloth napkins, adding washable flatware, and switching to metal or silicone straws.
3. Talk about what’s recyclable and what’s not
Recycling at school (and home) is limited to the six recycle right items. That’s cardboard, cans, cartons, paper, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles and jugs (with necks).
Need more specific examples? Here are some recyclable items you and your student may encounter this school year:
- Milk cartons and juice boxes
- Water and soda bottles
- Cereal and food boxes
- Empty aerosol cans
- Magazines
- Clean pizza boxes
- Empty detergent bottles
- Notebook paper
- Soup cans
4. Support your school’s recycling efforts
Our Solid Waste and Recycling program provides recycling and trash services for all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Schools pay for services and Mecklenburg County, or its contracted vendors, provides those services. Although private schools are responsible for providing their own recycling services, they can still contract with us.
Throughout the year, we see blocked recycling or trash dumpsters, overflow, or contamination. Parking in front of a recycling or trash dumpster is a sure way for a school to miss its scheduled pick-up. Missed pick-ups can cause overflow, which can lead to citations by health inspectors.
It’s also important that the proper items are placed in each respective dumpster. Red dumpsters are for trash only and the blue dumpsters are for recycling items (refer to Tip #3).
If you’re eager to learn more, you can sign up to become a Mecklenburg County Wipe Out Waste Ambassador. This free online program is designed to train residents about recycling and reducing waste. Once you complete the program, you’re certified to educate those around you!