Starting the School Year Recycled

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces 4.9 lbs of trash a day. Additionally, public schools are estimated to produce over 14,500 tons of waste every day across the United States, via earthday.org. These statistics are startling, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, schools can make small and simple changes that can, over time, have profound effects on the environment. Make a commitment to reducing the amount of consumables used and start recycling in your classroom this year! Now, how exactly can you start the school year recycled?

Making changes in the classroom

Changing habits requires a mindset shift and thoughtful reflection. Consider what types of projects you plan on implementing with students during the upcoming school year. What materials are required to complete these projects? Where do you normally get these materials?

Next, consider what recyclable materials you could realistically use as substitutes for those materials. Some solutions include using cereal boxes instead of construction paper, recycling old packaging materials instead of purchasing new ones, and building with plastic bottles instead of paper. There are a lot of ways recycling can be used.

In terms of sourcing these materials, you can go about this a few different ways. You can ask students or staff to bring in different materials per assignment. You can also start building a repository of supplies that can be used throughout the school year. Don’t be afraid to involve the community as well. You’ll be surprised how local businesses may respond by donating!

Preparing your consumables

Not every supply will have a direct swap. It is important to think about what consumables you will need to purchase, and which ones are consumable and/or can be used multiple times.

Some supplies like tape or glue can be a little tricky, since they are used to piece everything together. In these cases, try a plant based-adhesive, such as ONYX & Green glue products, or other other eco-friendly swaps. Additionally, you can challenge students further by reducing the amount of adhesives required in a project to see what they come up with! Not only will this cut down on the use of materials, but it will also push students to think more creatively and problem solve.

School-wide storage

If you really want to create a school-wide initiative and get more teachers involved, consider creating a space where recycled materials can be stored for others to use. Real estate within school buildings is very valuable, so start small if you need to.

A storage bin, cart, or even a supply closet can suffice as a designated space for recycled materials. If supplies are readily available, teachers and students may start to see the benefits and great ideas that can come when they make a small, yet bold change.

Hopefully, you come up with some great ideas and activities when it comes to going green in your school or district. Check out the OTIS for educators site for more back-to-school tips and tricks, including this resource on how you can create a school-wide Recycling Project Action Plan.

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more content on the Teq Talk blog or our YouTube channels OTIS for educators and Tequipment.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and support with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology and strategies that spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening!

edteq OTIS4educators | Teq Products | iBlocks OTIS4educators | MyTeq Teq