Waste Reduction Ideas
The research states that in both elementary and secondary schools, 70+ percent of the waste stream is derived from paper and card and food waste. Therefore, by addressing these two areas of waste production, the Board and Schools can have the greatest impact on reducing total waste production and by extension, their carbon footprint. Based on a review of the major paper and food waste producing activities in local schools, these are the top 3 recommendations for reducing waste streams.
Top 3 Recommended Waste Reduction Practices
Schools / System(including Education Centre)
· Electronic Teacher Communications
1. E-Mail Monday Memo
2. E-Mail all Board notices (i.e. workshops, PD, board memos/letters etc.)
3. Provide every teacher with a memory stick for (PLC articles, planning forms, professional development articles, pathway materials etc.)
· Electronic School Newsletters/Bulletins
(parents sign up for e-mail newsletters at beginning of year with registration verification forms: For parents without e-mail utilize sibling lists to eliminate duplication)
· Comprehensive Re-Use/ Recycle/Compost in each School
1. Two Bins: paper/card waste and juice-box/plastic/assorted lunch waste
2. Compost bin for each classroom/school (Successful Sample program at Ogden)
3. Paper Re-Use Trays in every class/office
4. Declare a Litter-Less Lunch day regularly w/ reward system (i.e. 1/month; 2/month etc.)
5. Eliminate one side-only printers / · Create and Use a Protocol for Electronic Signatures
1. Parents can receive and sign field-trip permission slips electronically
2. Staff Memos: Education Centre personnel can receive, transmit, retrieve and store Board business memos electronically
· Eliminate One-Sided Printers
1. Create an environment where the Xerox Work Centers are the only printers – print all docs 2 sided.
2. For those with stand-alone needs; purchase printers capable of printing to 2 sides
· Create an Electronic Document Environment
1. Fax/ Scan paper documents to PDF on Xerox Work Centers and e-mail from Work Center to recipients
2. Provide Memory Sticks to committee members to store necessary documents rather than binders/folders w/ paper