Schools

K-12 Recycling Challenge Encourages Students to Rethink Waste and Consume Less

National "2012 Green Cup Recycle Challenge" Launches April 2.

Every year Americans generate 250 million tons of trash – enough to fill a line of garbage trucks that would stretch from the Earth halfway to the moon.  Studies have shown that at least 75 percent of the garbage could be recycled and composted.

San Francisco has achieved a 77 percent recycling rate, the highest of any U.S. city.  But our national recycling rate currently stands at 34 percent.  

U.S. schools are not only leading the nation in energy efficiency, they are implementing model recycling programs.   On April 2, thousands of students, in schools from Connecticut to California, will aim to "recycle right" for four weeks during the 2012 Green Cup Recycle Challenge, a student-driven recycling competition for K-12 schools sponsored by the non-profit Green Schools Alliance (GSA).

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During the Challenge, schools compete to improve recycling compliance, decrease contamination, raise awareness about consumption, and celebrate waste reduction.

The Langley School in McLean, Virginia, became a “Recycling Champion” last year after it won the Green Cup Recycle Challenge, with zero contamination in 85 percent of its bins.

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Points are awarded for recycling and trash bins that are properly sorted. Schools that earn the most points are honored as "Recycling Champions," with special recognition also going to schools that are "Most Improved."  A new system of “Bonus Points” awards schools with expanded recycling programs for items like food waste (composting), ink cartridges, electronic waste, textiles, bottle caps, and even construction debris.

Schools can also get bonus points for doing waste audits, switching from disposables to reusables (cafeteria trays, plates, cups, utensils, water bottles), implementing paperless communication, and adopting policies for the purchasing of local and recycled products.  


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