grownyc nyc public schools recycling champions program grownyc.org/recyclingchampions

grownyc

NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLSRECYCLING CHAMPIONS PROGRAM

grownyc.org/recyclingchampions

The BIG PictureUnderstanding the Importance of Sustainability

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet

their own needs.”

Reduce Re-Use

Recycle

The BIG PictureRecycling Is a Part of Sustainability

So, What is Recycling?

Recycling = Taking a product or material and turning it into a usable raw material to make another product.

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The BIG PictureRecycling is a Part of Waste Management

New Yorkers make 64,000 tons of waste every week :/

How many pounds does that equal?

64,000 tons = 5,333 collection trucks filled with waste64,000 tons = to the weight of 32,000 hippos

The BIG Picture64,000 tons is A LOT of Waste

THERE ARE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WHEN OUR

WASTE IS NOT MANAGED CORRECTLY.

The BIG PictureWhat can we do with our Waste?

Option 1: You could LitterWhat is litter?

Where does street litter go?

What’s wrong with this?

The BIG PictureThe Pacific Garbage Patch

Currents in the Pacific Ocean keep trash, mostly

plastics, floating together.

Option 2: Trash itthere’s no such thing as “away”

Where does our trash go?

LANDFILLS INCINERATORS

A look into LandfillsNYC spends A LOT of money on landfills.

Exporting waste to other communities

cost NYC $300 million in 2008.

Option 2: Trash continuedIncinerators

• Transportation by truck, train– Air & Water Pollution

• Emit Carbon Dioxide– Air & Water Pollution– Impact on personal health– Carbon dioxide builds up in our

atmosphere

PAPER METAL ,GLASS, PLASTICS, CARTONS

•Staten Island - Pratt Industries •Other paper recyclers in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx

New Jersey & Brooklyn - Sims Metal Management- Recycles Metal, Glass, Plastic

Option 3: RecyclingWhere does NYC’s recycling go?

RecyclingWhat is Made from Recycled Materials?

RecyclingWhat is Made from Recycled Materials?

RecyclingWhat is Made from Recycled Materials?

How does Recycling work?

A quick tour of recycling an everyday plastic item.

The journey of the water bottle…

PLASTICS ARE PICKED UP AND TAKEN TO A NEARBY FACILITY (BROOKLYN

AND NEW JERSEY)

IT IS SORTED AND MADE INTO SMALLER PIECES WHICH ARE THEN PROCESSED AND MADEINTO NEW

MATERIALS.

THESE NEW MATERIALS ARE THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE NOT THOUGHT OF,

CLOTHING AND CARPETRY INCLUDED!

What is Made From Recycled Materials?

Recycling can be incorporated into an industry:– Like fashion designers or athletic wear being

conscious of materials used and wasted.

What is Made From Recycled Materials?

Recycling materials can be incorporated into complex machines.

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• Green Jobs- THE FUTURE• Support the local economy,

jobs, and industry

• Conserve natural resources• Reduce contributions to

landfills• Use less energy, burn less

fossil fuels • Cleaner air & water

What are the benefits of Recycling?

A look into Green Job$!

How to Recycle?Easy - look before you toss!

#SORT IT OUTWhat goes where in NYC Recycling

Where does School Recycling Take Place?

HALLWAYS

CLASSROOMS

CAFETERIAS

OFFICES KITCHENS

The PAPER trail

Every year, New Yorkers throw away over 400,000 tons of recyclable paper.

That’s enough to fill up the Empire State Building!

if you can rip it, recycle it!

NYC Guideline to paper Recycling

Please, no hardbound book covers, soiled paper: towels, napkins, plates, cups

If NYC recycled all of our steel we could build 9 new Statues of Liberty each week.

720 recyclable aluminum cans are trashed every minute in New York.

New Yorkers trash 1,579,600 pounds of plastic bottles and jugs every week.

MGP: Metal, Glass, Plastics, Cartons

Metal

Rule: Mostly Metal

Glass

Rule: Check the Neck!

NYC Guideline to MGP Recycling

Plastic Beverage Bottles-Take-out containers-Plastic utensils-Yogurt/desert cups-Salad containers-Plastic toys, Empty glue containers

Foam- Bags-FilmVinyl WrappersPouches

MGP: Recycle all Hard (rigid) Plastics

NYC Guideline to MGP Recycling

By now, you may be asking yourself…

If you recycle, other students will take notice and do the same. Remember, it’s easy.

Lead by Example

Start or join a Green Team!

• Help setup cafeteria recycling, train new students, give presentations.

• Get the message out to students and staff by making creative posters!

• Enter contests, win grant money, get cool guest speakers into your school. GrowNYC’s Recycling Champions

grownyc.org/recyclingchampions

Spread the word!