1. Forming Effective Partnerships to Reduce School Waste
How the Go Green Initiative Helped Pleasanton Schools
Institutionalize Campus Recycling

2. Pleasanton circa 2002 Some schools were recycling, but many were not
Recycling was not institutionalized, but rather a function of parent volunteers taking recyclables to the transfer station for fundraising
Recycling education was not uniform. IF it happened, it was due to an enthusiastic teacher
Then we started the Go Green Initiative…

3. What Does it Mean to “Go G.R.E.E.N.”?
enerate less waste
ecycle everything that cannot be reused
ducate the community on eco-friendly options
valuate the environmental impact of actions
ourish discussions and activities that integrate
environmental education into existing curriculum

4. Pleasanton in 2005 All 14 schools in PUSD were recycling
Schools were quantifying their recycling
The City used Measure D funds to support the program
Local businesses were involved
Local media covered numerous school recycling stories
And the program spread…

5. Go Green Initiative (GGI) Fast Facts The GGI was founded in 2002…
Mission
The Go Green Initiative is a global organization that trains volunteers in schools to:
Conserve natural resources for future generations
Protect human health through environmental stewardship
Global Market share
Over 3,500 registered schools – pre-school through University
2.4 million students/196,000 teachers
Operating in all 50 U.S. states, and in 73 countries around the world.
Since 2005, GGI schools have kept over 10 million lbs. of recyclables out of landfills, which conserved the following:
34,500 barrels of oil
27 million gallons of water
3,836 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions
67 billion BTU’s of energy
14,104 cubic yards of landfill space

6. A Tale of Two Cities with the GGI Suburban Example – Pleasanton, CA
Pleasanton Unified School District is:
One of the highest performing school districts in the country.
Nearly all of its schools are California Distinguished Schools and/or National Blue Ribbon Schools.
The City of Pleasanton has:
70,000 residents, 5% of whom live below the poverty line. The median household income is $118,000.
Pleasanton ranks #4 on 24/7 Wall Street's list of America's 50 best cities in which to live.

7. A Tale of Two Cities with the GGI Urban Example – Camden, NJ
Camden City School District is:
The lowest performing district in the state of New Jersey, and three of their schools are in the absolute lowest performing schools in the state.
Despite these academic challenges, the superintendent and the entire school district have made recycling a priority.
The City of Camden has:
77,000 residents, 40% of whom live below the poverty line. The median household income is $26,000.
Camden has one of the nation’s highest murder rates, and is routinely found on lists of the country’s most dangerous cities.

8. School Recycling
An Administrator’s Perspective – Forming Effective Partnerships On Campus

9. Harvest Park Middle School Forming Effective Partnerships
The genesis was when my PTA President, Suzanne Young, introduced us to the Go Green Initiative.
We formed a Green Team: custodian, leadership teacher, parents, students and myself.
The custodian’s involvement was essential: what to recycle, where to recycle, where to place bins, and support needed from students, teachers and PTA to make it work.
PTA helped get funding for recycling bins and signs that read, “Patriots Recycle Here.”
Teachers got onboard, recycling in their classrooms and in the teachers’ lounge.

10. Many ways to involve students
Leadership Teacher: set up work schedule for leadership students to help
Student groups: could adopt-a-week as a fundraiser.
MANY HANDS MAKE THE BURDEN LIGHT

11. Making it Fun!
We also created posters featuring student leaders from sports, band, drama, skateboarders, and many other student groups.

12. After the Program Was Up & Running…
Numerous groups, both local and national, toured our school
The community saw our recycling on community-use fields and the in gym
We raised money for student activities
Invented a special lid that allowed us to recycle empty beverage containers at lunch without attracting yellow jackets

13. Recycling at the high school level…
Same custodian, but bigger challenges
Classroom recycling works well
Teachers are supportive
Band students pick up bottle and cans for fundraiser
Leadership students pick up paper
Lunch recycling is a huge challenge
Recycling at events and around campus is also a challenge for current staffing levels

14. Recycling at the District level…
Recycling is more strategic:
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services is responsible for the waste hauling contract and saving money when possible
Facilities Office is responsible for custodial training
Purchasing Officer is responsible for purchasing bins and recycled-content products, e.g. paper, plastic lumber outdoor furniture, etc.
Child Nutrition Services is responsible for ensuring that meals come in reusable, recyclable or compostable containers, to the largest extent possible
School Board members are responsible for setting policy directing staff to make recycling and purchasing recycled-content materials a priority

15. School Recycling
A Waste Hauler’s Perspective

16. In the Beginning…
Prior to working with the Go Green Initiative, Pleasanton Garbage Service (PGS) offered very low hauling rates to local schools, but did not have a formal recycling plan
At some schools, parent volunteers collected bottles & cans, and hauled them to the recycling center in their own vehicles to sell them for school fundraisers
Problem: when enthusiastic parents were not available, recycling stopped

17. Working with the Go Green Initiative
Institutionalize school recycling without eliminating school fundraising
Recycling in all classrooms? Establish teacher mini-grants
We piloted paper recycling program at one elementary to determine # of totes per capita
We piloted beverage container recycling program at a large middle school which led to on-demand pickup schedule & profit sharing
Schools needed an easy checklist . We funded the Go Green Planning Guide, with Appendix A: Negotiating with your Waste Hauler:

18. Forming Effective Partnerships On Campus
Stakeholder
Challenges
Solutions
Principals
No time for recycling
Minimize the time they have to spend on recycling plans, but keep them informed
Teachers
Resistance to change
Concern that sugary drink containers would draw bugs to classroom
Teacher mini-grants for recycling
Ensure adequate outdoor bins for recyclables that would not draw vectors
Custodians
Concern their workload would increase
Devise an all-hands recycling plan that 1 or2 custodians like, then use their testimonials
Parents
Concerns they could no longer use bottles and cans for school fundraisers
Use 4 yd. containers to store cans and bottles; on-demand pick up; profits go to school minus $25 fee

19. Forming Effective Partnerships Within the Community
Schools
City /Local Agencies
Measure D funding for supplies
Media
Help Spread the word
Business Community
Sponsor incentives
Volunteer on campus
Parents/Residents
Recycle at home
Waste Hauler
Use newsletter to spread the word
Provide some bins

20. Waste Hauler Considerations
What does the school need in order to set up a recycling program?
considerations:
#, type and placement of bins
System for getting bins emptied into containers for pick up
Pickup schedule
Personnel
Training to ensure minimal or no contamination
Is Recycling in the Current Contract?
How much will it cost to institute recycling in all schools?
What items in our waste stream can be recycled?
Is profit-sharing an option?
Is it cheaper for schools to recycle than to throw recyclables in the trash, i.e. can the school save money if we recycle more?
Will any of this change the contract?

21. Tweaking the Recycling System
Incorporating food waste
Ensuring adequate pickups to avoid vectors
Bags/liners, or no? Keeping totes clean
Dealing with liquids…and yellow jackets

22. Oakland Unified School District Custodial and Nutrition - Services Department Alameda County Schools and School Districts Central Contra Costa County Waste Authority Green Gloves Program and Beyond

23. Importance of a school waste reduction and sorting programs
In Alameda County, schools account for 4% of the waste stream, but students are 100% of our future
Action orientated-hands on involvement
Community hub
Direct path to homes and to community and beyond
Reduce contamination

24. What is potentially in our school waste stream if it were properly sorted?

27. Cafeteria sorting system

28. Food Share

30. Donate!
1996 The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act 2011 Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act amendment
Let’s bust the myth of liability, Tommy!

31. The Procedures

32. Food for Community Partners
Food for Families
Food for Community Partners

33. Community Partners StopWaste Altamont Education Advisory Board
Alameda County Board Supervisor–Wilma Chan
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Community non-profits that receive donations
Community Partners

34. Food Donation Snapshot
May 2013 to May 2014
Donated over 10,000 lbs of food
57% milk
Increasing team work
Improving moral
Tracking data
Setting an example
Community service
Food Donation Snapshot

35. What’s next on food waste reduction?
Food share and food donation
sanctioned by county environmental
health
Food donation
Reengage the program
Pilot warehouse pick up system
Consideration for students to take items with them out of cafeteria
Plate waste tracking methods
What’s next on food waste reduction?

36. District Wide Implementation Plan
Challenges
different size districts and
staff/admin level of engagement
Mandates
Staff training
Tool kit
District Wide Implementation Plan

37. OUSD Green Gloves and Beyond
For further questions or thoughts, please contact:
Nancy Deming
Sustainability Manager
Oakland Unified School District-Custodial and Nutrition Services
Alameda County Schools and School Districts
Central Contra Costa County Waste Authority