|
Recycling/Waste Reduction
Sponsoring Organization:
Calif. Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
(916) 341-6769
Correlation to CA State Content Standards for Science:
Grades 9-12
Biology #6
Earth Science #9
Investigation and Experimentation #1
Correlation to CA State Content Standards for Social Studies:
Grades 10-12
#10.13.4
#11.10.2
#12.14.5
Is This An Important Project To Do?
Each year, Californians generate approximately 45 million tons of garbage.
As our population grows and the number of landfills become scarce, the
need to manage the ever growing quantities of garbage becomes more critical.
Even with the good job Californians are doing of recycling, this state's
landfills are filling up fast. As of 1990, about half of the counties
in California had less than 15 years of landfill space remaining. These
counties, unfortunately, represent 70 percent of the state's ever growing
population. With no new landfills built, we could run out of space to
put our garbage by the year 2005!
Why do it?
- Conserve natural resources. As a minority of the world population,
the US utilizes a majority of the world's resources and produces far
more trash than any other nation. We live in a "throw away society"
that is unsustainable.
- Relieve demand for landfills. Because waste management is a huge
problem, California enacted in 1989 AB 939 into law whic states by
the year 2000, all cities and counties must reduce the amount of waste
land filled by 50%. School districts, like large companies, contribute
a large percentage to the municipal waste stream due to their sheer
size. It will take their partipation to help cities and counties meet
the state waste reduction mandate under AB 939.
- For health of people and environment. A major environmental and
health concern associated with landfills is leaching of hazardous
chemicals into the aquifer, a water source for many communities. Reducing
the usage of hazardous materials also minimizes direct threats posed
to people in the home. By 1991, the CIWMB (California Integrated Waste
Management Board) had identified more than 2500 closed, illegal, or
abandoned solid wasted sites in California.
- Save money two ways! 1: With decreasingly less landfill space,
keeping disposal demand down will also keep disposal costs from skyrocketing.
2: the price of a product includes fancy and bulky packaging that
advertisers use to make it more appealing. If consumers demand less
packaging, the product will be cheaper.
What's it all about?
- Reduce—Combat the problem at the source!
Through education and consumer choices, reduce the waste we generate.
— If we don't make it, we won't have to get rid of it! Example:
buying bulk cereal to reduce or eliminate packaging, buy from milk
brands that recollect and reuse glass bottles.
- Reuse—Many things can be used again, either
for the same or a different purpose , instead of throwing it away.
Reusing not only gives new life to an object, but keeps perfectly
usable items out of the landfills. "One man's trash is another
man's treasure". Examples: donating to and buying from thrift
clothing stores, holding garage sales, using old food containers such
as a yogurt cup as tupperware, or an old t-shirt as cleaning rags.
- Recycle—If reducing and reusing still generate
"waste", think again...it may be recycled! Perhaps the raw
material of the item can be recycled (broken down into its components
and reshaped) to form the same or new product. Since recycling can
involve a series of complicated processess, and use a lot more energy
and resources than reducing and reusing...do those two first!
- Rot (or Compost) —Think of it as the "recycling"
of "natural materials." Organic matter (food waste, yard
clippings etc) are easily broken down back into soil by the bacteria
and other microrganisms that naturally inhabit a rotting pile. Reduce
organics out of the waste stream and put the nutritious soil back
into your garden or house plants. You can compost with (vermicomposting)
or without worms and in size from a demo box in the classroom to a
bin in the backyard. Some cities also collect your ?green waste? such
as yard clippings to compost in one large site. (Also see projects
under Gardening)
- Closing the Loop— recycling is only effective
in waste reduction if the recycled material is used! Closing the loop
means buying products made with recycled materials over those made
with raw materials. ECO-nomics :If people don't buy (and demand) recycled
products, there won't be a market (or supply) for it, leaving recycled
materials unused and recycledproducts uncompetitive (Supply and Demand,
remember?).
- Hazardous and Toxics—These are materials
that need special attention because of the harm they can pose to human
health and the environment. Many items in the household and others
we encounter on a daily basis are either hazardous or toxic (motor
oil, paint, commom household cleaners). Avoid or reducing these items.
If you must use them, make sure they are disposed of properly.
What are projects we can do?
(Projects...from simple start to biggies)
- Within your club/class/EarthTeam, educate members about this issue..make
a presentation yourselves on what you already know, or ask a local
expert to visit you. Plan a field trip to your local waste facility.
See "Resources below for contacts."
- Hold a recycling can drive (sorta like a canned food drive), sell
the cans to a local buy back center/company, get a little $$$ and
celebrate your efforts with a party or fun trip! This should get people
interested!!!
- Hold a "Swap-Day" at school, exchanging unwanted items
for something else.
- Sponsor a "recycled art" contest and see who can be the
most creative with pre-used items.
- If the school has a functional recycling pick-up system already,
try getting teachers in your classes to recycle in the classroom .
Be creative: compete between classes and give prizes. If there is
no good system in school yet, get teachers to reduce and reuse, which
may get interest and support to eventually set up a system.
- Home/School waste audit ...look at practices of students and staff
at school. How much waste is generated? How much recycled? How much
recyclables in waste? etc Looking at current practice and behavior
is step one in making the change.
- Getting a recycling program at your school. Can be done by classes
or a club.
GENERAL HOW TO FOR STARTING A RECYCLING PROGRAM
(excerpted from CIWMB's "Settiing Up a School Waste Prevention
and Recycling Program". For a step-by-step guide, you can view/download
the entire document at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications/reduce/32197004.doc
OR go to www.ciwmb.ca.gov/publications,
choose "Waste Prevention/Reduction" category to find doc.
#321-97-004)
Getting Started
- Select a Green Team
- Gain Support from School
- Make Local contacts
- Determine Resources
- Determine Your Waste Stream
- Determine What Will Be Recycled
- Have a Written Plan
- Track Your Material
- Publicize the Program
- Contracting for Recycling Services
- Implementing the Program
- Waste Prevention Activities for Classrooms and Offices
- Food Service Waste Reduction
- In the Classroom/School
- As You Move Forward
- Provide Feedback and Keep Momentum
- Troubleshooting
- Expanding Your Program
Resources—Who can help? Where to get more info?
San Francisco
Recycling Program
415-554-3400
San Mateo County
Schools Recycling
650-599-1447
Composting Program: 650-599-1498
Alameda County
Waste Management Authority
510-639-2498
Roberta Rankin School Outreach 510-614-1699
Contra Costa
County
West Contra Costa Waste Management Authority
510-215-3125
Sonoma County
Waste Management Agency
Eco-desk Hotline: 707-565-desk
California Integrated
Waste Management Board
Public Education & Assistance (916) 255-2385
1-800-CLEANUP
Santa Clara
County Solid Waste Commission
Recycling Hotline - 800-533-8414
Davis Street SMaRT Education Center
San Leandro
|
