Zero-Waste Lifestyle at College: 5 High Schools Implementing New Ways of Recycling
21.09.2019 GREEN LIVING 0.0 0

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With 56 million students, the schools in America host a rather large audience every year. With the global climatic changes, the school authorities are being encouraged to look into systems that will make the students more aware of the environmental situation.

 

While sustainability and recycling are being introduced into the curriculum, students are also taught about different methods to implement it both in schools and at home.

 

Many projects and initiatives, including writing assignments, help in raising awareness of many issues, sustainability among them. Students are using the help of reliable platforms to write their environmental essays; you can read about the essay service here and maybe consider requesting assistance yourself. This way, you will have more free time and the ability to implement newly-gained knowledge on ecology in real life.

 

The School Waste Study conducted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 78% of school waste generated can be recycled. With many environmental organizations shining a light on how to recycle and upcycle the waste, several educational institutions have started their own programs. Many governmental organizations are also conducting workshops and grants to promote the zero-waste concept in schools.

 

Below you will find five US high schools that have successfully implemented recycling practices.

 

C.R.A.P by Campbell High School, Litchfield

Campbell High School started a modest recycling program that went on to inspire many other institutions and students across the state and the country. They started with paper, cardboard, plastics, aluminum cans and soon caught the attention of authorities who joined the bandwagon.

 

The Campbell Recycling Advocacy Program or C.R.A.P, headed by Dennis Perrault, has now grown to include all three academic institutions in Litchfield. Currently, they use many advanced pieces of equipment for recycling, such as aluminum can baler and wire stripper. Students take part in running the program; they are also offered classes on the economics of recycling.

 

Organic Recycling at Blake School, Hopkins

Educational institutions in Minnesota are required to have a sustainability program by the state statute. As a result, the Hennepin County School Recycling program has been working with several schools to bring up recycling methods.

 

Blake School in Hopkins is a prominent member of the group focused on implementing recycling. The school received a grant of $22,400 to expand its program by adding more containers for organics collection. The team is also aiming at installing recycling stations at its athletic facilities.

 

Green Gloves by Bishop O’Dowd High School

Green Gloves is O'Dowd's partnership with the ReThink Disposable project. The school has replaced the disposable cutlery and bowls in the cafeteria with reusable ones to reduce the waste by 3,376 pounds a year.

 

The campus also has a Living Lab, spread over four acres that receive ecological restoration every year and has gained the Wildlife Habitat certification and Bay-Friendly Certification. The management has further invested in getting the LEED Platinum certificate for it's Center for Environmental Studies building.

 

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Go Green by Bay Farm School, Alameda

Bay Farm School has a conservation program called Go Green that has been running for nearly a decade. Apart from educating students and creating awareness about the need for recycling, they have also won many awards for their initiatives.

 

The school currently has a three-stream waste system that has succeeded in diverting 82% of waste from landfills. Besides, they recycle waste, starting with sorting at cafeterias and playgrounds. The Outdoor Learning Center is focused on encouraging students to learn outdoors, including gardening and using vegetables from the garden for cafeteria food.

 

BYOB by Ukiah High School, Ukiah

The Bring Your Own Bag is a campaign created by the members of the Ukiah High School Environmental Club. It is shaping up to be a promising step towards sustainability in their community. The BYOB campaign targeted local businesses to raise awareness about banning single-use plastic bags.

 

UHS also has rain gardens and bio-retention basins as a part of DROPS to absorb and reuse the rainwater runoff. The project encourages students to clean up the creek, help monitor the water quality, and engage in practical learning. They also conduct regular events and classes to advance education on recycling and sustainability.

 

Final Words

The idea of zero-waste requires considerable effort and commitment to implement. Starting from sorting different types of waste, the collection, recycling, and composting, every step matters. Not all schools are equipped with the facilities to achieve zero-waste.

 

However, even a little attempt to reduce waste could result in a positive impact.

 

Such waste reduction efforts can be implemented in any school, even where recycling facilities are not available. Starting such environment-conscious practices at schools would help in creating a healthy mindset in the younger generations.

 

With a team effort, achieving zero-waste is indeed possible, and it is something that is becoming increasingly necessary.

 

 

You may also like

How to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste in Your Home

Going Green: Zero Waste Checklists

Your Bathroom Waste Legacy and Ways to Reduce It

10 Ways to Reduce Waste in Your Day-to-Day Life

 

 

 

 


TAGS:sustainability, Recycling, green living

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