Submitted By: Charlotte Howard (choward@acalanes.k12.ca.us) & Janet Thomas (thomas@silcon.com)
Challenge
With over 1300 students and over 60 teachers, Acalanes High School is like a small city and produces a tremendous amount of waste on a daily basis. The challenge is how to recycle as much as possible.
Solution Details
For the third year in a row, Acalanes High School received Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority's WASTEBUSTERS AWARD for having an effective recycling program on campus!
The recycling program at Acalanes involves many different people and consist of the following elements:
Recycle Cans & Bottles - There are many recycling containers around campus for cans and bottles, which are sorted and redeemed by an amazing volunteer named Don.
Recycle Batteries & Printer Cartridges - Used print cartridges and batteries from the school are collected and taken to the appropriate recycle centers.
Recycle Food Scraps & Garden Clippings - Working with Jada Nys (the environmental science teacher) we are trying to increase the composting of food scraps and garden clippings.
Each year, to check on progress of the recycling efforts, the students perform a trash audit, with the assistance of Jenny Orbeck, from CCSWA. And for the past two years, a community e-waste event has been held in the Acalanes parking lot to help responsibly deal with the massive amount of electronic equipment discarded in our community. Money received from voluntary contributions during e-waste events is used to help build schools in developing countries under the auspices of Building WIth Books and the Acalanes Global Action Club, under the supervision of teacher Monika Voellm.
Benefits & Payback
We are significantly reducing the amount of waste headed to the local landfill and also helping students to learn about all the opportunities for recycling.
Informational Links
CCSWA - Info about Wastebuster Certification for schools
