ZERO WASTE AT AUSTIN ISD J ENNIFER C REGAR S USTAINABILITY C OORDINATOR * Sustainability icons designed by former Bowie High School student Celina Luckevich.

WHAT WE’LL COVER What is Zero Waste? Why Does It Matter? How to Keep Trash Out of the Landfill Sorting Rules of Thumb How Can You Help? Resources Q&A 2

Source: Lauren Singer, 2 YEARS…

WHAT IS ZERO WASTE? Keeping as much trash out of the landfill as possible. In Austin “as much as possible” = 90% of all waste by 2040 ◦ Supposed to be at 50% in 2015; currently at < 40% ◦ AISD likely less then 40% 4

WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER? WASTE OF SPACE 5 2 weeks2 to 4 weeks 2 months3 months 10 to 100 years100 to 200 years 450 years50 years to never

WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER? WASTE OF MONEY 6 = $104 / pick-up = $24 / extra pick-up

WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER? WASTE OF EMISSIONS 7 = 740 lbs CO 2 = 75 trees annual CO 2 intake = CO 2 pollution from 825 miles of driving

WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER? LEARNING EXPERIENCE 8

HOW DO WE KEEP TRASH OUT OF LANDFILL? 9

SORTING RULES OF THUMB RECYCLING 10 PAPER & CARDBOARD If it’s clean, dry, and tears, recycle it. If it’s wet or has food on it, compost (if available) or landfill it. If it’s coated with plastic or foil, landfill it.

SORTING RULES OF THUMB RECYCLING 11 PLASTICS If it falls to the ground when dropped, recycle it. If it floats to the ground when dropped, landfill it.

SORTING RULES OF THUMB RECYCLING 12 METALS If it’s clean aluminum, tin, or steel, recycle it.

SORTING RULES OF THUMB RECYCLING 13 GLASS If it’s clean and unbroken, recycle it.

SORTING RULES OF THUMB COMPOST 14 If it was once living, it can be composted (but sometimes it’s a better use to recycle it, e.g., clean paper).

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Be a minimalist. Consistency is key. Make it fun. Follow through. Save space. 15

HOW CAN YOU HELP? BINS LocationLandfillCompostRecycle Pick-up/Drop-off   School Entrance   Front/Main Office   Library   Classroom   Gym/Athletic Facilities   Performing Arts Center   Cafeteria    Kitchen    Staff Break Room    Restroom (paper towels)    Hallway    16

HOW CAN YOU HELP? BINS 17

HOW CAN YOU HELP? BAGS Landfill = Black/grey signage/bin + black bag Compost = Green signage/bin + green bag ^ Recycle = Blue signage/bin + clear bag * ^ 32-gal compostable bags can be ordered through IFIS: Stock No If purchase others, must be labeled “compostable” and/or “BPI-certified.” * At home, do not use plastic bags for recycling, but ok at AISD schools because TDS will remove for us. 18 AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

HOW CAN YOU HELP? SIGNS 19

HOW CAN YOU HELP? DUMPSTERS 20

POP QUIZ: RECYCLING Which of the following items can be recycled in the blue bins at AISD? a.Envelopes with windows b.Soda can or bottle c.Plastic utensil d.Yogurt container e.Plastic fruit cup f.All of the above 21

POP QUIZ: RECYCLING Which of the following items cannot be recycled in the blue bins at AISD? a.Paper towels b.Pizza boxes c.Paper milk cartons d.Juice boxes e.Plastic bags f.All of the above 22

RESOURCES Campus Zero Waste Guide s/CampusZeroWasteGuide_ pdf 23

RESOURCES Campus Recycle/Compost Weight Reports 24

RESOURCES Landfill/Compost/Recycle Stickers 25

RESOURCES What to Recycle/Compost Posters English: Spanish: 26

RESOURCES 27 AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT “Special” Recyclables

QUESTIONS?? Jen Cregar AISD Sustainability Coordinator e: p: (512) w: 28