schools#1 implementing recycling programs - framingham
TRANSCRIPT
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Single Stream Recycling ProgramFramingham, MA
Liz EllsworthRecycling Coordinator/Environmental Educator
March 29, 2011
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Framingham Public Schools
• Single Stream Recycling Program: Fall 2006 – Present– Prior to 2006: paper and plastic bottles at some schools
• Total Student Population: 8,182
• Total Number of Schools: 141 Pre-School8 Elementary Schools 3 Middle Schools
2 High Schools
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Program Driver
2 Violation Notices
Recycling Program Mandate
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Pilot Program
• Mutual venture between Town of Framingham and Waste Management– WM wanted to pilot single stream recycling programs– Town of Framingham required to implement school recycling program
• Recycling Program– Institute sustainable paper recycling program– Introduce single stream once routine established
• Pilot at Framingham High School– Total school population: 2600+ (2,152 students, 500 faculty and staff)
• Utilized MassDEP Grant– Municipal Waste Reduction Technical Assistance Grant– Awarded to Town of Framingham DPW– Allowed for hire of intern to focus on Framingham High School’s recycling
program
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Pilot Program Implementation
• Designated key areas within school for placement of recycling collection carts
• Created weekly collection schedule• Educated school community about benefits of recycling and
new program procedures• Estimated volume of collected recycled materials each week
Pilot program was a success!!
• Amount of collected material increased significantly• Single stream recycling implemented throughout all
Framingham Public Schools
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Program Logistics
• Identify what type of recycling program to implement – Material(s) to collect
• Paper only, co-mingled, or single stream
– Overall goals– Evaluation criteria
• Hold initial program meetings prior to start of the program– Meetings prior to start of school year
• Custodians, principal, DPW or Board of Health liaison• Contact interested parties (students, teachers/staff, PTO)
– Principal introduces new recycling program at first all-staff meeting of the year
• Determine equipment necessary for program– Containers for: classrooms, hallways, offices– Sizes
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Program Logistics cont.
• Acquire containers– What does the school already own?– Who foots the bill?– How are they transported to the school?
• Map out the collection container logistics– Where are they placed?– Who is responsible for emptying them?– Who reminds school community to empty them?
• Coordinate collection– Establish collection routine within school community– How will the new program work with existing trash and recycling collection
schedules?– What is the start date?
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Program Logistics cont.• Education and communication
– What is recycling?– Describe program goals and procedures– Open dialogue between all parties
• Be on site– Daily to start and less as program becomes institutionalized– Address concerns
• Track the collection– How full are the containers?– Identify trouble spots and focus on key areas– Additional containers (special events or areas)
• Address any confusion– What can go in? – Contamination
• Reassess program needs
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Program Logistics cont.
• Maintain contact with the invested parties – Principals, hauler (Waste Management), custodial staff– Monthly district-wide Conservation Committee meetings– Visit with Green Teams or environmental clubs
• Follow-up with staff on collection logistics• Report program’s progress to all invested parties
• Once infrastructure and routine established– Evaluate trash containers to see how full– Determine which ones could be reduced in size
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Program Costs
• Labor– Custodial, DPW, school staff – No additional costs required
• Material– Wheeled collection carts (toters)
• Provided by recycling hauler - typically no additional costs
– Classroom and desk side bins (typically $5 each)– Educational materials (created by student groups)
• Other– Recycling collection at schools already included under existing
recycling contract
Overall costs for implementation was lowDedicated time to ensure program success was high
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Education and Outreach
• Provide age-specific recycling presentations (K-12)– Single classroom programs and school-wide assemblies
• Partner with key school groups– Custodial staff, environmental clubs, green teams, science classes, PTO
• Create multilingual educational materials – English, Spanish, and Portuguese
• Utilize school media– Newspapers, newsletters, TV, and internet
• Positive feedback• Participate in community-wide events
– Earth Day, Green-Up Day, America Recycles Day
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Results
• Recycled 29,433.2lbs of single stream material in the first 6 months of the Pilot Program
• Framingham HS recycled 35% of the waste generated during the 2010 calendar year
• Modified trash collection at several schools• Reduced number of trash pick ups each year• Reduced size of trash dumpsters
• Recycling now part of the “norm!”
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Continuing Success
• Maintain partnerships & open dialogue with all parties– Custodial staff, DPW, Buildings and Grounds, principals, teachers, staff,
school communities, PTOs, Green Teams
• Highlight success stories (shameless self-promotion)
• District –Wide Conservation Committee– Offering Professional Development Points (PDPs) for teachers and staff
participation time
• Rejuvenate enthusiasm for recycling– Contests: in-house or company-sponsored – Recyclable material –specific drives: Styrofoam or catalogs– Encourage recycling program extensions – composting, athletic fields, etc
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Questions?
Liz Ellsworth, Recycling Coordinator/Environmental EducatorTown of Framingham
Ph: 508-532-6005/ E-Mail: [email protected]