School Waste Reduction

Whether you are a school district administrator concerned about increases in solid waste disposal costs, a recycling-conscious teacher or student, or a city/county recycling coordinator working with your local school district, setting up or improving an existing school waste reduction program can benefit everyone involved.

• Starting a waste reduction program in your school district is easy!
• Need some help getting started?
• Why is waste reduction planning essential for school districts?
• California Law Regarding School District Waste Reduction
• Publications

Starting a waste reduction program in your school district is easy!

Many school districts have been successful in improving their economic and environmental performance through the implementation of waste reduction initiatives. Throughout this site, you will have the opportunity to learn about successful waste prevention, composting, and recycling programs in schools throughout California. From rural programs that collect cafeteria waste for vermicomposting, to urban districts that take advantage of cooperative recycled product purchasing opportunities, this site contains information from various districts that have developed active, successful programs to reduce waste and save money!

Additionally, this site provides information on programs that can be implemented to reduce the solid waste generated in all areas of a school district (e.g., administration, maintenance and operations, purchasing, food service, classrooms, etc.) that, when properly implemented, create hands-on learning experiences for students and result in districtwide waste reduction! This site also provides:

• Information regarding the environmental, economic, and educational benefits of implementing waste reduction programs.
• School waste composition information.
• Results from the CIWMB school district survey regarding waste reduction program implementation.
• Information from other states that have instituted waste reduction programs for their school waste stream.
• And more!

Need some help getting started?

For more information, be sure to see the CIWMB's other school publications. For questions or to request assistance in setting up a districtwide waste reduction program, please contact your regional representative in the CIWMB's Local Assistance and Market Development Division.

Why is waste reduction planning essential for school districts?

California school districts dispose of large amounts of waste (approximately 763,817 tons per year) [1]. These wastes represent a significant loss of natural resources and school district funds, as well as a potential threat to student/staff health and the environment. To be responsible stewards of environmental quality, school districts should review processes and operations, and even curriculum choices. They should evaluate the economic, educational, and environmental benefits of implementing an effective waste reduction program.

Incorporating waste reduction as part of the school district's overall way of doing business can provide a number of important benefits:

• Reduced disposal costs.
• Improved worker safety.
• Reduced long-term liability.
• Increased efficiency of school operations.
• Decreased associated purchasing costs.

School district waste reduction programs also foster student achievement by transforming the school environment into a laboratory for learning and providing numerous opportunities for investigation through environment-based education.

The California Integrated Waste Management Act requires that all California cities and counties reduce solid waste generation by 50 percent. School districts can play a critical role in a city or county's ability to realize this goal. As a result, a school district's host city or county is a natural partner in the evaluation of the existing waste management infrastructure and the development of a comprehensive districtwide waste reduction program. These pages provide information, tools, and other resources to support such partnerships and to facilitate the implementation of successful school district waste reduction programs.

California Law Regarding School District Waste Reduction

Although California law does not mandate school district waste reduction program implementation, Public Resources Code, sections 42620-42622 requires the CIWMB to provide assistance to school districts in establishing and implementing source reduction and recycling programs. This assistance includes a survey of school districts on their level of program implementation, development of a model waste reduction program, training and ongoing technical and informational assistance, and information on programs for other states and institutions.

In September 2001, Gov. Gray Davis also signed into law Senate Bill 373 (Torlakson, Chapter 373, Statutes of 2001), which puts in place many more mandates for the CIWMB to fulfill. These mandates help CIWMB staff further our mission of assisting schools by establishing an integrated systems model where academics, administration, and facilities work collaboratively to incorporate resource conservation and sustainability into their organizational philosophy, planning, and implementation.

Additionally, California Education Code, sections 32370-32376, encourages each school district to establish and maintain a paper recycling program in all classrooms, administrative offices, and other areas owned or leased by the school district. These sections also encourage school districts to:

• Purchase recycled paper.
• Purchase the paper with the highest percentage of postconsumer waste.
• Revise procurement specifications to eliminate discrimination against recycled paper and to give preference to the purchase of recycled paper.
• Eliminate the purchase of paper and paper products, which are deemed potential contaminants of the educational agency's paper recycling program.

Publications

A listing and ordering information is available of publications that have been developed to promote school district waste reduction program implementation.

Footnote

1. CIWMB Statewide Waste Characterization Study: Results and Final Report, page 19.