2 NYC School Recycling Guide
Recycling Overview � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
Legal Requirements ...................................................................3
What Can Be Recycled?................................................................4
What Happens to NYC recyclables? .....................................................5
What Can’t Go in the Recycling and Trash for Schools? ....................................5
Why Is Recycling Important? ...........................................................5
Set Up Your School�������������������������������������
Recycling Planning Meeting ............................................................6
Recycling Setup.......................................................................7
Cafeteria and Kitchen Setup ...........................................................8
Maintain Recycling Areas ..............................................................8
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Station.........................................................9
Set Out Materials ��������������������������������������
Internal Collection and Storage ........................................................10
Curbside Setout .....................................................................10
Communicate and Educate �������������������������������
Overview ............................................................................12
Tips Sheets:
Custodian Tip Sheet for NYC Organics Collection ..........................................13
Kitchen Staff Tip Sheet for NYC Organics Collection ........................................14
Checklists:
Principal and Assistant Principal Checklist ................................................15
Sustainability Coordinator Checklist .....................................................16
Custodian Engineer, Building Manager, or Facilities Manager Checklist ......................17, 18
Kitchen Manager Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Teachers Checklist...................................................................19
Green Team Checklist ................................................................20
DSNY Golden Apple Awards ...........................................................21
Recycling Activities for Students........................................................22
Cleanup and Gardening Activities for Students ............................................23
Waste Prevention Activities for Students .................................................24
DSNY Resources for Schools ..........................................................25
Recycling Materials Worksheet .........................................................26
Educational Materials Worksheet .......................................................27
Additional Resources for Schools ......................................................27
This guide is for NYC public, private, and charter schools that receive trash and recycling collection by the
Department of Sanitation, including schools that are receiving NYC Organics Collection. Schools located in
leased commercial spaces that are serviced by private waste carters must follow business recycling regulations.
For more information about commercial recycling in NYC, visit nyc�gov/recycle.
Use our Online Order Form to get free copies of this guide and other materials for your school:
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
NYC SCHOOL RECYCLING GUIDE
NYC School Recycling Guide 3
RECYCLING OVERVIEW
Legal Requirements
1� All schools are required by law to recycle� Recycling in schools is mandated by Local Law 19
(1989), Local Law 41 (2010), DSNY Recycling Rules, and the NYC Department of Education Chancellor’s
Regulation A-850. Local Law 77 mandates Organics Collection in participating schools.
• Schools must recycle in cafeterias, classrooms, ofces, entranceways, common areas, and
anywhere else waste is discarded.
• Recyclables must be sorted into separate bins (see “What Can Be Recycled?”, next page).
• Waste sorting stations and recycling areas must be maintained and clearly labeled.
2� To comply with recycling mandates, Principals are required to appoint a school Sustainability
Coordinator�
• Sustainability Coordinators are responsible for promoting correct recycling procedures among staff
and students.
• For details about appointing a Sustainability Coordinator, visit schools�nyc�gov/sustainability.
3� Sustainability Coordinators are required to create an annual sustainability plan that includes
waste reduction and recycling goals�
• Because school recycling requires coordination between various key staff members, this plan must be
agreed upon and signed by Principals, Custodian Engineers, and Sustainability Coordinators every year.
• For details about developing an annual sustainability plan, visit schools�nyc�gov/sustainability.
Schools can recycle approximately 50% of their
waste through curbside collection.
Schools that are participating in NYC Organics
Collection can recycle approximately 90% of
their waste.
What’s in NYC school waste?
40%
Clean paper
& cardboard
40%
Food scraps
& food-soiled paper
10%
Metal, glass,
plastic,
cartons
10%
Trash
4 NYC School Recycling Guide
Metal
Cartons
Glass
bottles & jars
Rigid Plastic
What Can Be Recycled?
Sanitation collects recyclables in two separate streams:
For complete information about what to recycle and other ways to reduce waste, visit nyc�gov/recycle.
Mixed Paper
Cardboard
• newspapers, magazines, catalogs
• white & colored paper
• mail & envelopes
• paper bags
• wrapping paper
• soft-cover books
• cardboard egg cartons & trays
• smooth cardboard
• corrugated cardboard boxes
• metal cans
• aluminum foil wrap & trays
• metal caps & lids
• other metal items
• glass bottles and jars
• plastic bottles, jugs, and jars
• rigid plastic caps & lids
• rigid plastic containers,
housewares & packaging
• food & beverage cartons
& drink boxes
• Vegetables and fruit
• Prepared foods
• Baked goods
• Cereal, our, grains, pasta,
and rice
• Eggs and eggshells
• Dairy products
• Nuts, meat, sh, and bones
• Paper towels and napkins
• Paper plates
• Coffee lters and tea bags
• Paper bags
• Paper trays and plant-based
compostable trays
• Paper food boats
If your school receives NYC Organics Collection, Sanitation also collects your school’s food scraps & food-
soiled paper (“organics”).
Food
Food Soiled Paper
NYC School Recycling Guide 5
What Happens to NYC’s Recyclables?
Clean paper & cardboard are brought to local paper recycling facilities that separate and sell the baled paper,
or directly to a paper mill on Staten Island.
Metal, glass, plastic, and cartons are brought to a local Materials Recovery Facility that sorts, bales, and
sells the material. This facility offers educational tours (see more info on p. 25).
Food scraps & food-soiled paper are brought to regional facilities where the material is turned into compost,
a natural soil fertilizer. Organic waste may also be turned into renewable energy.
What Can’t Go in the Recycling and Trash for Schools?
Electronics, uorescent bulbs, rechargeable batteries, and other hazardous waste items require special handling
and disposal, and can’t go in regular recycling or trash.
As an alternative to disposal, look into donating working electronics, usable furniture, and other items through
NYC WasteMatch, an online materials exchange: wastematch�org.
Unless they’re donated or resold for reuse, electronics must be recycled. Public schools must follow guidelines for
how to dispose of obsolete equipment and furniture described in the DOE Division of Financial Operations
Inventory Standard Operating Procedures.
Check with your school custodian about proper disposal of items like uorescent bulbs, rechargeable
batteries, and phones.
Why Is Recycling Important?
• Sending waste to landlls is expensive� NYC spends over $300 million a year just to get rid of trash
we don’t want. Recycling and Organics Collection lets NYC use taxpayer dollars to fund things we do want.
• Recycling at school offers hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM)�
• Students learn environmental stewardship and leadership� Student Green Teams can monitor school
recycling efforts, and teach staff and other students about sustainability.
• Proper waste management keeps schools cleaner, helps reduce pests, and minimizes neighborhood
complaints.
• It’s easy� Keeping recyclables and food scraps separate very quickly becomes second nature.
6 NYC School Recycling Guide
SET UP YOUR SCHOOL
Recycling Planning Meeting
Principals or Sustainability Coordinators should hold a recycling planning meeting to review school recycling
procedures and staff roles.
Discuss the following topics:
9 Legal school recycling requirements.
9 Your school’s sustainability plan.
9 What to recycle.
9 Staff roles for setting up and maintaining recycling areas in classrooms, ofces, hallways, and auditoriums.
9 Staff roles for setting up and maintaining waste sorting stations in cafeterias and kitchens.
9 Proper storage and setout of material for Sanitation collection.
9 Integrating sustainability into educational curriculums to increase success of school recycling and meet
Common Core requirements.
9 View DSNY’s school recycling training videos on these topics: nyc�gov/recycle.
9 Introduce and share contact information for key people so staff know how to report and resolve potential
recycling issues.
9 List next steps and create an action plan.
NYC School Recycling Guide 7
Recycling Setup
Recycling areas should be set up everywhere waste is discarded in your school� This includes all
classrooms, ofces, and common areas (hallways, auditorium, gym, library, lobbies, and outdoor areas).
• All classrooms need a trash bin and a clean paper & cardboard recycling bin. Some schools also set up
a recycling bin for metal, glass, plastic, and cartons in classrooms, or arrange to bring these materials to a
hallway recycling bin daily.
• Schools are responsible for purchasing their own bins� Public schools can purchase bins through the
SDI catalog.
• Every recycling bin must be labeled� It is helpful to hang signs or posters above bins, showing what
goes in. Use the Recycling Materials Worksheet in this guide when ordering free decals, signs, and posters at
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
• Always place recycling and trash bins directly next to one another�
• Remove any trash or recycling bins that are not part of a recycling area� Lone bins attract
contamination.
• Use clear plastic bags to line bins for metal, glass, plastic, and cartons and bins for trash. Bins for
clean paper & cardboard do not need to be lined, though most schools do.
Large bin setup
Good for common areas
including hallways, lobby,
auditorium, gym, library,
and outdoors. Any kind of
bin can be used as long as
it’s labeled clearly.
Small bin setup
Good for classrooms and ofces.
Any kind of bins (even cardboard
boxes) can be used for paper
recycling, as long as they are
labeled clearly.
Corrugated
cardboard boxes
• Flatten boxes.
• Tie in bundles or place
in clear plastic bags.
Set up bins for metal, glass, plastic, and cartons if eating is allowed in
classrooms, or arrange to bring these materials to hallway recycling bin daily.
8 NYC School Recycling Guide
Cafeteria and Kitchen Setup
Custodians should set up as many waste sorting stations as needed in cafeterias and kitchens�
Every bin should be labeled with a decal and the appropriate poster hung above it� Use
the Recycling Materials Worksheet in this guide when ordering free decals, signs, and posters at
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
• Any kind of bins can be used to collect trash and recycling, as long as they are labeled clearly.
Schools are responsible for purchasing their own bins. DOE schools: see SDI catalog. For NYC Organics
Collection, food scraps & food-soiled paper must be collected in the specially designed brown food
scraps bins provided by Sanitation.
• Remove any trash or recycling bins that are not part of a waste sorting station� Lone bins attract
contamination.
• Cafeterias should have bins for clean paper & cardboard recycling if these are commonly
discarded here (example: if the room is used for meetings). Kitchens must have an area to collect paper &
cardboard.
Maintain Recycling Areas
Maintain waste sorting stations and recycling areas by keeping them clean and orderly�
If trash or recycling bins need to be moved, always return them to their original location. This will help prevent
people from discarding items in the wrong bins.
Replace bin decals and posters if they tear, become soiled, start to peel, etc. Use the Recycling Materials
Worksheet in this guide when ordering free decals, signs, and posters at on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
Free posters and other materials for setting up your school can be ordered at on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
CardboardMixed Paper
No No
K-APG: AREA POSTER GREEN BIN 18x24 12.14
Flatten & bundle or bag boxes. Staples & window envelopes ok.
Put in clear bags or in any bin labeled MIXED PAPER or any bin with green NYC Recycles decal.
Waxed, soiled or soft paper Hardcover books
NYC Recycles
nyc.gov/recycle
K-APG- AREA POSTER GREEN BIN 18x24.indd 1 12/17/14 9:40 AM
K-APB: SKL AREA POSTER BLUE BIN 18x24 09.14
Empty containers before recycling. Caps & lids ok. Put in clear bags or in any bin labeled
METAL, GLASS & PLASTIC or any bin with blue NYC Recycles decal.
Metal
Glass
Plastic
Cartons
No
Batteries
Bottles & jars only.
No
Plastic bags, wrappers,
pouches, foam
Anything that holds liquids like milk or juice.
NYC Recycles
nyc.gov/recycle
Anything that holds liquids like milk or juice.
K-APB SKL poster blue bin 18x24 sept2014_v3.indd 1 9/22/14 4:48 PM
K-APLQ: SKL AREA POSTER LIQUIDS 18x24 09.14
NYC Recycles
nyc.gov/recycle
Liquids
Pour liquids here, then recycle empty containers.
K-APLQ SKL poster liquids 18x24 sept2014_v1.indd 1 9/8/14 10:33 AM
Food scraps and
food-soiled paper poster
Metal, glass, plastic,
and cartons poster
Liquids poster
Trash landll poster for schools
without NYC Organics Collection
Trash landll poster for schools
with NYC Organics Collection
Mixed paper and
cardboard poster
NYC School Recycling Guide 9
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Station
Liquids
Provide a bucket with
a strainer for students
to pour liquids into
before recycling bottles,
cans, milk cartons, juice
boxes, and cups.
Metal, glass,
plastic, cartons
Bottles, cans, milk cartons,
plastic utensils, foil, takeout
containers, and yogurt cups
are some of the items that go
in the blue-labeled bin.
Trash
Trash includes plastic
bags, chip bags, plastic
wrap, and foam plastics.
Schools without NYC
Organics Collection
discard food scraps and
soiled paper, including
compostable trays,
in trash.
Food scraps,
food-soiled paper
Only schools with NYC Organics
Collection use the labeled brown
food scraps bins provided
by Sanitation.
POSTERS
DECALS
Note: Cafeterias should have bins for clean paper & cardboard recycling if these are commonly discarded here (example: if the room
is used for meetings). Kitchens must have an area to collect paper & cardboard.
10 NYC School Recycling Guide
SET OUT MATERIALS
Internal Collection and Storage
Never combine recycling streams or trash in the same bag� Clean paper & cardboard should never
be mixed with metal, plastic, glass, and cartons in the same bag. Trash should never be mixed with any
recyclables.
Using a dual-bin dolly helps to collect waste efciently and keep waste streams separate.
Store trash and recyclables in a secure location� Make sure to keep trash and recyclables in separate piles.
For example, don’t put bags of clean paper & cardboard in the same pile with bags of trash.
Dual-bin dolly Keep bags of recyclables and trash in separate piles
Curbside Setout
SCHOOLS WITHOUT NYC ORGANICS COLLECTION
School truck: DSNY collects trash from most NYC schools every weeknight. If your school receives daily
collection, set out recyclables and trash according to this schedule:
Clean paper & cardboard Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Set out by 4 pm
on day of collection
Metal, glass, plastic, and cartons Tuesday, Thursday
Trash
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday
NYC School Recycling Guide 11
Set out trash and recyclables in distinct piles on the correct day.
Mon, Wed, Fri: set out brown bins and paper recycling
Tue, Thu: set out brown bins and bags of metal, glass, plastic, and cartons
Neighborhood schedule: If your school is not on a daily collection schedule, your recycling and trash are
collected on the same schedule as your local neighborhood. Visit nyc�gov/dsny or call 311 for schedule.
Dumpsters: Some large schools may use separate dumpsters for trash and clean paper & cardboard�
However, metal, glass, plastic, and cartons are always collected curbside in clear bags.
SCHOOLS WITH NYC ORGANICS COLLECTION
Clean paper & cardboard Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Set out by 4 pm
on day of collection
Metal, glass, plastic, and cartons Tuesday, Thursday
Food scraps & food-soiled paper
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday
Trash
Same as neighborhood
schedule. Visit nyc�gov/dsny
or call 311 for schedule.
Set out after 4 pm the night
before, or before 6 am the
morning of collection
12 NYC School Recycling Guide
Make sure all staff and students are familiar with school recycling procedures. This includes how
waste sorting stations work in cafeterias and kitchens, where recycling areas are located throughout the building,
and what items go in each bin.
Educate students about the importance of waste reduction and recycling. Schools that show students
why and how to reduce waste and recycle have more successful recycling programs.
The following pages contain helpful resources for communicating recycling procedures and
educating students:
• Custodian and Kitchen Staff Tip Sheets� These can be photocopied and posted in relevant areas for
reference.
• Checklists� Distribute to each member of your school (according to who they are) to make sure they know
what role they play in making your school’s recycling program work.
• Activity Pages� Ideas on how to actively engage students in your school’s recycling, cleanup and
gardening, and waste prevention efforts. More detailed information about student activities can be found on
on�nyc�gov/RRResources�
• Golden Apple Awards� Info on how to win huge cash prizes for your applied-learning sustainability
projects.
• DSNY Resources for Schools� Find out about DSNY curriculum and other educational materials, online
training videos, and eld trip and tour opportunities.
• Recycling Materials Worksheet� Use this worksheet to gure out how many decals and posters you need
to set up your school recycling program.
• Educational Materials Worksheet� You can also order free educational materials to be used in the
classroom.
• Additional School Resources� Discover and learn more about the resources provided by local NYC
environmental organizations.
COMMUNICATE AND EDUCATE
NYC School Recycling Guide 13
CAFETERIA SETUP
• Set up cafeteria waste sorting stations that include: liquids bucket, blue-labeled recycling bin, trash bin,
food scraps bin. Use a setup that works for your school.
• Sanitation provides the brown food scraps bins. Liquids bucket, trash, and recycling bins are purchased by the
school.
• Make sure all bins in the cafeteria are part of a waste sorting station. Remove bins that aren’t part of the setup.
• Label each bin with a decal and hang the appropriate poster above each bin in the waste sorting station.
Use the Recycling Materials Worksheet in this guide when ordering free decals, signs, and posters at
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
• Do not double bag or place bags inside other bags. Line each bin in the waste sorting station with clear plastic
bags. Make sure bag liners do not cover up bin decals.
• Wash bins as needed.
CURBSIDE SETOUT
• Set bags of trash at the
curb in distinct piles
after 4 pm the night
before collection.
• Set food scraps bins at
the curb by 4 pm every
weekday.
• Set appropriate
recyclables at the curb in
distinct piles by 4 pm the day of collection.
• Retrieve bins after they have been emptied.
ISSUES
• Missed collections are extremely rare if bins are set out on time. If the bin was set out by 4 pm and was not
emptied overnight, please notify your local DSNY district ofce.
• For night and weekend events, hold food scraps over until next collection day or discard food scraps with the
regular trash.
• To request a new bin, follow the Bin Replacement Protocol listed on on�nyc�gov/schoolrecycling.
INTERNAL COLLECTION
• Tie the food scraps bags closed and
secure the lid of the bin shut.
• DO NOT use brown food scraps bins to
transport bags of recyclables or trash.
• After emptying bins, always return them
to original location.
• Store clean paper & cardboard,
metal, glass, plastic, and cartons,
and trash in three separate piles.
• Store bags of food scraps & food-
soiled paper in the brown food scraps
bins provided by Sanitation.
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Station
Custodian Tip Sheet for NYC Organics Collection
14 NYC School Recycling Guide
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Station
CAFETERIA SETUP
• Waste sorting stations include:
liquids bucket, blue-labeled recycling
bin, trash bin, food scraps bin.
• Arrange the sorting stations in the same place
every day. Make sure that they are orderly
and neat.
• Remove any lone trash or recycling bins that
are not part of a station.
Kitchen Staff Tip Sheet for NYC Organics Collection
BIN LINERS
• Line each bin in the waste sorting
station with clear plastic bags.
Make sure bag liners do not cover
up bin decals.
• Do not double bag or place bags
inside other bags.
Collect food scraps and food-soiled paper in the brown food scraps bin�
IN THE KITCHEN
• Every day after meal preparation, prepare trash and
recyclables for collection. Tie bags of food scraps closed, and
shut the lid of the bin securely. Stack full bags of food scraps
in the food scraps bins. Don’t place bags inside other bags.
ISSUES
• To request a new bin, ask
the Custodian Engineer to
follow the Bin Replacement
Protocol for schools listed on
on�nyc�gov/schoolrecycling.
• Questions? Contact your supervisor
or visit on�nyc�gov/schoolrecycling.
MAINTENANCE
• Empty the liquids buckets when they are full.
• As usual, wipe down the tables in the cafeteria
before and after lunch periods.
• Keep oors, walls, and signage clean and free of
food spillage.
Food
Food Soiled Paper
NYC School Recycling Guide 15
Principal and Assistant Principal Checklist
Recycling planning meeting
Make sure your Sustainability Coordinator
schedules and coordinates the recycling
planning meeting. Request key staff attend:
Principal, Assistant Principal, Sustainability
Coordinator, Custodian Engineer, Kitchen
Manager, and Teachers.
Communicate recycling plans to teachers
and staff.
Recycling setup
Take a moment when you enter a room or
common area to check that there are properly
labeled recycling bins.
Be a model recycler. Set up your own ofce
properly for recycling.
Maintain recycling areas
Regularly evaluate recycling areas and waste
sorting stations, especially at the start of the
semester, or when beginning a new recycling
initiative at your school.
Encourage parents, teachers, Green Teams,
and cafeteria aides to teach students how to
separate recyclables and food scraps, and to
help monitor waste sorting stations.
Address any problems such as items being
discarded in wrong bins or incorrect setups.
Internal collection and storage
Conrm that trash and recyclables are kept
separated as they’re collected from bins
around the school.
Make sure a secure location is designated to
store bags of trash and of recyclables until they
are set out at the curb for collection.
Check that clean paper & cardboard, metal,
glass, plastic, and cartons, and trash are
stored in three separate piles.
Curbside setout
Spot check to make sure materials are set
out at the curb ONLY according to the DSNY
collection schedule. It is illegal to store trash or
recyclables at the curb.
Check that clean paper & cardboard, metal,
glass, plastic, and cartons, and trash
are set out in separate piles. If YOU can’t tell
whether a pile is trash or recycling, neither can
the Sanitation workers.
Communicate
At the beginning of the school year, explain
recycling procedures to all students and staff.
Throughout the school year, make
announcements as needed to reduce
contamination (items in the wrong bins) and
improve your school recycling program.
Let staff and students know who to contact
about recycling questions or issues.
Make sure the Parents Association and other
organizations that use your school building
after school and weekends know what
and how to recycle.
Educate
Encourage teachers to provide recycling
education to students and support their efforts.
This improves participation and reduces
problems in your school recycling program.
16 NYC School Recycling Guide
Sustainability Coordinator Checklist
Recycling planning meeting
Educate yourself about your school’s
recycling plan; be a resource on what and
how to recycle.
Schedule and coordinate the recycling planning
meeting. Request key staff to attend: Principal,
Assistant Principal, Sustainability Coordinator,
Custodian Engineer, Kitchen Manager, and
Teachers.
Recycling setup
Survey your school throughout the year to
make sure recycling areas are set up properly.
Take a moment when you enter a room or
common area to check that there are properly
labeled recycling bins.
Use the Recycling Materials Worksheet in this
guide when ordering free decals, signs, and
posters at on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
Be a model recycler. Set up your own room for
recycling properly.
Cafeteria and kitchen setup
Make sure Custodial Staff and Kitchen Staff
have everything needed to set up waste sorting
stations (bins, posters, decals).
Use the Recycling Materials Worksheet in this
guide when ordering free decals, signs, and
posters at on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials .
Make sure waste sorting stations are set
up properly.
Maintain recycling areas
Regularly evaluate waste sorting stations and
recycling areas, especially at the start of the
semester, or when beginning a new recycling
initiative at your school.
Recruit teachers, Green Teams, cafeteria aides,
and/or parent volunteers to teach students how
to separate recyclables and food scraps, and
to help monitor waste sorting stations.
Address any problems such as items being
discarded in wrong bins or incorrect setups.
Internal collection and storage
Conrm that trash and recyclables are kept
separated as they’re collected from bins
around the school.
Check that bags of trash and of recyclables
are stored in separate piles until they are set
out at the curb for collection: clean paper
& cardboard, metal, glass, plastic, and
cartons, and trash in three distinct piles.
Curbside setout
Spot check to make sure materials are set
out at the curb ONLY according to the DSNY
collection schedule. It is illegal to store trash or
recyclables at the curb.
Check that clean paper & cardboard, metal,
glass, plastic, and cartons, and trash
are set out in separate piles. If YOU can’t tell
whether a pile is trash or recycling, neither can
the Sanitation workers.
Communicate
At the beginning of the school year, explain
recycling procedures to all students and staff
through memos, yers, posters, assembly
programs, and announcements. Green Teams
can help.
Throughout the school year, make
announcements and run campaigns as
needed to reduce contamination (items in
the wrong bins) and improve your school
recycling program.
Let staff and students know who to contact
about recycling questions or issues.
Educate
Encourage teachers to provide recycling
education to students and support their efforts.
This improves participation and reduces
problems in your school recycling program.
Faculty PD: Ask your Principal for time to speak
with all staff.
Start a Green Team! See Activities for Students.
NYC School Recycling Guide 17
Custodian, Building Manager, or Facilities Manager Checklist
Recycling planning meeting
Attend and participate in recycling
planning meeting.
Train staff on school recycling plan, including
what and how to recycle.
Be a model recycler. Set up your own room
properly for recycling.
Recycling setup
Set up recycling areas beside every trash bin
in classrooms, ofces, hallways, and other
common areas (auditoriums, library, gym),
with recycling bins for any materials that are
usually discarded there. DOE: Bins are available
for purchase through the SDI catalog.
Make sure there are no lone trash or recycling
bins. Always place garbage bins and recycling
bins together.
Label each bin with a decal and hang the
appropriate poster above each bin. Use the
Recycling Materials Worksheet in this guide
when ordering free decals, signs, and posters
at on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
Use only clear plastic bags to line bins.
Paper bins do not need to be lined.
Survey your school throughout the year to
make sure recycling areas are set up properly.
Take a moment when you enter a room or
common area to check that there are properly
labeled recycling bins.
Cafeteria and kitchen setup
Provide a blue-labeled bin for metal, glass,
plastic, and cartons in each waste sorting
station. DOE: Bins are available for purchase
through the SDI catalog. (Note: Kitchen Staff
provides the liquids bucket and trash bin.)
Schools with NYC Organics Collection: set
up brown food scraps bins for food scraps
& food-soiled paper at each waste sorting
station.
Set up a green-labeled bin for clean paper &
cardboard if these are commonly discarded
here (example: if the room is used for meetings).
Work with Kitchen Staff to label all bins,
set up waste sorting stations, and hang
posters above each bin. Apply posters to
the wall, or display posters using poles or
music stands. Alternatively, stands can be
constructed or purchased.
Remove any trash bins or recycling bins that
are not part of a waste sorting station.
Get decals and posters from your Sustainability
Coordinator, or order them for free at
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
continued on next page
18 NYC School Recycling Guide
Custodian, Building Manager, or Facilities Manager Checklist
Maintain recycling areas
Ensure bins are all lined with clear plastic bags.
Note: Bins for clean paper & cardboard do
not need to be lined.
If bins are moved, return them to original
location. Switching the order of bins could
cause confusion.
Order new bin decals and posters if needed at
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials.
Wash trash and recycling bins as needed.
Internal collection and storage
Keep trash and recyclables separated as
they’re collected from bins around the school.
Use a dual-bin dolly or other system to keep
waste streams separate.
Never combine recycling streams or trash in
the same bag: clean paper & cardboard
should never be mixed with metal, plastic,
glass, and cartons in the same bag. Trash
should never be mixed with any recyclables.
Store trash and recyclables in a secure
location. Place bags of clean paper &
cardboard, metal, glass, plastic, and
cartons, and trash in three separate piles.
For schools with NYC Organics Collection,
store bags of food scraps & food-soiled
paper in the brown food scraps bins provided
by Sanitation.
Curbside setout
Know your collection schedule and post a copy
where staff can refer to it.
Set bags of recyclables and trash at curb in
separate piles according to your collection
schedule.
Schools with NYC Organics Collection: set
brown food scraps bins at the curb by 4 pm
every week day.
Check that clean paper & cardboard, metal,
glass, plastic, and cartons, and trash
are set out in separate piles. If YOU can’t tell
whether a pile is trash or recycling, neither can
the Sanitation Workers.
Follow the DOE/DSNY Communication
Protocol for any collection issues:
schools�nyc�gov/sustainability.
continued
NYC School Recycling Guide 19
Kitchen Manager Checklist
Recycling planning meeting
Attend and participate in recycling
planning meeting.
Cafeteria setup
Provide a liquids bucket and a trash bin for
each waste sorting station.
Work with Custodial Staff to label all bins,
set up waste sorting stations, and hang
posters above each bin in the sorting
stations.
Line bins with clear bags, daily.
Remove any trash bins or recycling bins that
are not part of a waste sorting station.
Get decals and posters from your
Sustainability Coordinator or Custodian.
Kitchen setup
Set up a blue-labeled bin for metal, glass,
plastic, and cartons.
Set up a green-labeled bin or designated
area for clean paper & cardboard.
Schools with NYC Organics Collection: set
up brown food scraps bins for food scraps
& food-soiled paper near food prep areas.
Hang posters above each bin, where
possible.
Line bins with clear bags, daily.
Maintain recycling areas
Ensure bins are all lined with clear plastic
bags. Note: Bins for clean paper &
cardboard do not need to be lined.
If bins are moved, return them to original
location. Switching the order of bins could
cause confusion.
Empty liquids bucket from the cafeteria
as needed.
Wash bins as needed.
Schools with NYC Organics Collection:
tie bags of food scraps & food-soiled
paper closed. Stack full bags in the brown
food scraps bins. Don’t place bags inside
other bags.
Teachers Checklist
Recycling planning meeting
Attend and participate in recycling
planning meeting.
Recycling setup
Be a model recycler. Set up your own room
for recycling properly.
Maintain recycling areas
Regularly evaluate waste sorting stations
and recycling areas, especially at the start
of the semester, or when beginning a new
recycling initiative at your school.
Address any problems such as items being
discarded in wrong bins or incorrect setups.
Communicate
At the beginning of the school year, explain
recycling procedures to students.
Contact the Sustainability Coordinator if any
questions or issues arise about what or how
to recycle.
Throughout the school year, make
announcements as needed to reduce
contamination (items in the wrong bins) and
improve your school recycling program.
Educate
Promote recycling and proper waste sorting
in your classroom by assigning recycling
monitors or through a schoolwide Green Team.
Integrate recycling and waste prevention
activities into your classroom curriculum that
fulll Common Core requirements.
Consider taking students on eld trips to learn
about waste prevention and recycling.
20 NYC School Recycling Guide
Green Team Checklist
Recycling planning meeting
Schedule and coordinate recycling planning
meeting. Invite other school civic clubs, honor
society, interested teachers.
Recycling setup
Do a bin survey of every room and common
area in your school: are there enough labeled
bins for paper & cardboard; for metal,
plastic, glass, and cartons; and for trash?
Report your results to the Sustainability
Coordinator and Custodian.
Help apply blue or green decals on recycling
bins, and “Trash Only” decals on trash bins.
Put GREEN decals on bins for paper &
cardboard; BLUE decals on bins for metal,
plastic, glass, and cartons.
Survey your school throughout the year to
make sure recycling areas are set up properly.
Take a moment when you enter a room or
common area to check that there are properly
labeled recycling bins. Fix or report any
problems you nd.
Monitor recycling areas
Regularly assess classroom recycling areas
and cafeteria waste sorting stations. Keep
records on a chart.
Award classrooms with a star or grade that are
sorting their trash and recyclables properly.
Post results publicly on a bulletin board
in the lobby.
Rather than compare how much paper is
in the classroom recycling bins, which may
encourage wasteful practices of using more
paper than necessary, focus competitions
on reducing paper use and measuring
contamination rates (items in wrong bins).
Communicate
Make reminder announcements about what
and how to recycle at your school, the success
of your school’s recycling program, and the
importance of recycling.
Notice and report any problems such as
items being discarded in wrong bins or
incorrect setups.
Be a model recycler. Set an example
for other students.
Educate
Retrain those that need more help, and reward
the best recyclers.
Rotate days to assist in the cafeteria during
lunch. Monitor the waste sorting stations and
demonstrate how to sort properly.
Mentor younger—or older—classes, explain
why and how to recycle.
NYC School Recycling Guide 21
DSNY Golden Apple Awards
The NYC Department of Sanitation’s Golden Apple Awards offer
substantial cash prizes in three contests for NYC DOE schools:
Super Recyclers, Reduce & Reuse, and Team Up to Clean Up.
For complete information on how to enter, and to see prior
winners’ projects, visit nyc�gov/goldenapple.
CONTEST ENTRY QUESTIONS: FOR ALL CONTESTS
IMPLEMENTATION
• Why this? What did you target in this project? Explain why.
• What did you do? What changes and improvements were
made?
• Before and after� Before you implemented these projects, what was it like? Describe and include photos
before, during, and after your efforts. (Submit project plans if your project is not completed by contest
entry deadline.)
• Project planning� Your objectives, and the planning and organization that drove this project.
• Student involvement� All student efforts to plan and implement the project. Include activities conducted by
classrooms, cluster, grade, school wide, team, club, or afterschool program.
• Promotion� Efforts to promote this project. Include copies of announcements, memos, yers, posters, letters,
web pages, skits, songs, assembly programs, media coverage, or other special events.
• Collaboration� Any corroboration with other schools, professionals, businesses, or community organizations
on this project. How did you solicit donations or help?
• Educational components� Include learning standards met, lesson plans, and exemplary samples
of student work.
PROJECT ANALYSIS
• What worked? What were the most successful aspects of this project?
• What didn’t work? What were the least successful aspects of this project?
• Applicability to other schools� What advice would you give to other schools with similar populations who
want to replicate your project?
• Measuring success� Describe how you measured the success of your project. Explain any impact on the
students or community.
• Future plans� How would these prize funds be used to further enhance your school recycling program, waste
prevention initiatives, or beautication projects?
GOLDEN SHOVEL: MASTER SCHOOL COMPOSTER
• If your school composts outdoors, or indoors with worm
bins, you may also enter the Golden Shovel Award
competition for your borough’s Master School Composter,
selected by the NYC Compost Project. For complete
information on how to enter, visit nyc�gov/goldenapple.
Recycling Activities for Students
START A GREEN TEAM
Hold an essay competition to select Green Team
members. Limit participation to two students per
classroom to excite interest. Identify Green Team
members by designing special aprons, t-shirts,
buttons, or hats.
DECORATE RECYCLING CONTAINERS
Create and decorate lids for recycling containers
to encourage proper recycling and reduce
contamination. Cut a circular hole for bottles &
cans, a wide slit for paper.
RECYCLING MONITORS AND MENTORS
Recycling monitors can make sure every classroom
recycles properly. Post weekly results to reward
the best, and retrain the rest. Students can count
how many bins are needed, apply recycling labels
and signs, make reminder announcements, and
show other students how to sort their waste and
recyclables at lunch. (Monitors should never
separate or collect the school’s recyclables.)
SCHOOL RECYCLING ASSEMBLY
Present an assembly program dedicated to
recycling, or bring in outside performers who
engage students in environmental education.
INCORPORATE LITERACY AND ART
Read books about recycling, the environment,
sustainability, and waste prevention. Write essays,
poems, or persuasive letters. Draw or paint posters
or a mural.
MATH & SCIENCE APPLICATIONS
Conduct waste audits of each classroom and ofce.
Count bags of paper recycling compared to bags
of trash, then graph recycling rates. Examine the
decomposition rates of different items.
HELP OTHER SCHOOLS RECYCLE
Expand your recycling successes by mentoring
another school that shares your campus or
neighborhood.
INVOLVE NYC’S ENVIRONMENTAL
NETWORK
Take advantage of the many local, state, and
national environmental organizations. Find out
about their educational opportunities and go on
local eld trips.
ENTER THE GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS
Super Recyclers rewards NYC schools with cash
prizes for implementing exemplary recycling
programs in compliance with NYC regulations.
Show off your school’s recycling program! For
complete information, visit nyc�gov/goldenapple.
22 NYC School Recycling Guide
Note: Do not encourage students to undertake tasks that are normally the responsibility of paid custodial or maintenance staff.
COMMUNITY CLEANUPS
Locate an area within the community that needs
cleaning up. Students measure, map, and grid the
area, observe and record types and amounts of
waste removed, and display ndings in charts
and graphs.
DSNY supports local community groups and block
associations in their volunteer efforts through local
block and street area clean ups. For more info about
free loans of clean-up tools and equipment, call 311.
GRAFFITI REMOVAL
Adopt a public area or get permission from a local
building owner and remove unsightly grafti from
walls, benches, tables, etc.
WALL MURAL
Students design and create murals for large interior
or exterior walls of the school. Solicit lesson plans
from teachers in all subject areas. Research and
write essays describing themes, ideas, process,
and results.
GARDENING AND COMPOSTING
PROJECTS
Design, plant, and maintain a garden on school
grounds or local public area. Partner with an existing
community garden or seek help from Grow to Learn
for mini-grants, technical assistance, and curriculum
guides. Work with the NYC Compost Project to
learn how to incorporate composting in your school
garden. See the inside back cover for more info on
programs and organizations that can help!
TEAM UP WITH OTHER SCHOOLS
Work with another school that shares your campus
or neighborhood to clean up or beautify an area in
your community.
PARKS DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEERS
Apply to become Parks Department volunteers at a
local playground or park. Get gardening resources
from GreenThumb.
ADOPT A TREE
Plant trees with MillionTreesNYC, sign up for TreesNY
street tree stewardship program, or educate your
family, friends, and neighbors about the importance
of our city’s urban forest.
PREPARE A PROPOSAL
Come up with a detailed action plan to reclaim open
space in your neighborhood or school grounds.
Analyze existing conditions and identify the
resources needed to make improvements.
ENTER THE GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS
Team Up to Clean Up rewards cash prizes to NYC
schools that conceive, design, and implement
innovative cleanup, beautication, or reclamation
projects in their boroughs. Show us your school’s
community cleanups, reclamation, or gardening
project! For complete information, visit
nyc�gov/goldenapple.
Cleanup and Gardening Activities for Students
NYC School Recycling Guide 23
REDUCE WASTE AT LUNCH
Pack a waste-free lunch by using reusable
containers for food and beverages, and packing
reusable utensils. If you buy lunch in the school
cafeteria, take only what you need so you don’t end
up throwing away food or extra condiments. Don’t
forget to recycle your milk and juice cartons, bottles,
cans, rigid plastic, and foil!
REDUCE PAPER WASTE
Create a scrap paper reuse bin for paper that has
only been used on one side, ask teachers if you can
hand in homework on the back of used paper or
email it, and always print double sided. Don’t forget
to recycle any paper and cardboard that cannot be
reused again!
SCHEDULE AN EXCHANGE EVENT
Ask your school’s Parent Association or
environmental club to help coordinate an event for
trading items you no longer want—like sporting
goods, books, CDs, games, or clothes.
ORGANIZE A DONATION DRIVE
Your school or club can collect needed goods from
parents and the local community. Visit NYC Stuff
Exchange to nd where to donate stuff in your
neighborhood: nyc�gov/stuffexchange.
GET DONATED GOODS
Public school teachers and principals are
encouraged to contact DSNY’s list of organizations
and reuse programs to get donated goods including
new and used computers, art materials, furniture,
and other supplies. Start with Materials for the Arts
at nyc�gov/mfta.
COMPOST AT SCHOOL
Recycle food scraps from school lunches and other
organic material, like leaves or plant clippings,
into nutrient-rich compost. Worm compost bins or
an outdoor compost system make great science
projects. Learn all about composting in our K–12
School RRResource Guide: RRR You Ready?
ENTER THE GOLDEN APPLE AWARDS
Reduce & Reuse rewards NYC schools with
cash prizes for implementing successful waste
prevention practices. For complete information,
visit nyc�gov/goldenapple.
Waste Prevention Activities for Students
24 NYC School Recycling Guide
NYC School Recycling Guide 25
DSNY Resources for Schools
CURRICULUM
Our K–12 School RRResource Guide: RRR You Ready? was designed to help educators
implement the three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) in NYC schools.
The RRR Guide includes:
• Lesson plans and activity sheets for grades K–12 that help schools comply with current Common Core, Scope
and Sequence, and other Department of Education standards.
• Ideas for hands-on projects and long-term activities.
• Extensive background information, including glossary sheets.
COLORING AND COMIC BOOKS
Order free DSNY coloring and comic books for elementary students. The literacy component to our RRR Guide
is available in three different reading levels:
• Grades PreK-1 coloring book (pre-literate)
• Grades 2-3 comic book (emerging readers)
• Grades 4-6 comic book (uent readers)
ONLINE TRAININGS
Watch our training videos and school recycling webinar to learn what to recycle and how to set up school
recycling programs: on�nyc�gov/RRResources.
FIELD TRIPS AND TOURS
Your school can tour Pratt Industries paper recycling mill, visit Sims Municipal Recycling Education Center, and
take a tour of the Freshkills Park site. For more info about these and other environmental eld trips, assembly
programs, and resources from other organizations, visit on on�nyc�gov/RRResources.
26 NYC School Recycling Guide
Recycling Materials Worksheet
Classrooms
Main Ofce
Other Ofces
Entrance / Lobby
Hallways
Teachers Lounge
Library
Auditorium
Gymnasium
Cafeteria
Kitchen / Food Prep
Storage Area
Total #
how many of each area?
Paper bins per area
MGPC bins per area
Trash bins per area
Calculate how many to order: use TOTAL # column to multiply items needed for each type of bin, OR calculate area by area
# to order CLEAN PAPER & CARDBOARD
2 per bin green decals
1 per bin letter-size sign
OR small poster 11x17
OR large poster
18x24 laminated
2 per lid lid text decal
METAL, GLASS, PLASTIC, CARTONS
2 per bin blue decals
1 per bin letter-size sign
OR small poster 11x17
OR large poster
18x24 laminated
2 per bin lid text decal
TRASH ONLY
2 per bin Trash Only decal
1 per bin small poster 11x17
OR large poster
18x24 laminated
CAFETERIA WASTE
1 per bucket Liquids small poster
11x17
OR Liquids large poster
18x24 laminated
OTHER RECYCLING INFO
Recycling Area Decal
Checklist Removable
Sticker
Recycling Checklist
ORGANICS (only for schools with NYC Organics Collection)
2 per brown bin Food Scraps
decals
as needed Food Scraps Only
lid text decal
1 per brown bin Food Scraps
small poster 11x17
OR Food Scraps
large poster
18x24 laminated
Recycling Collection Areas (add more areas as needed)
To set up your school for recycling
and order free educational
materials, use the online request
form on the DSNY website:
on�nyc�gov/recycling-materials�
Use the worksheets below to calculate
the quantities you will need.
NYC School Recycling Guide 27
Additional Resources for Schools
Educational Materials Worksheet
The NYC Compost Project provides compost education to students and teachers,
including workshops and tours of NYC’s many community composting sites:
nyc�gov/compostproject�
GrowNYC Recycling Champions Program develops model recycling programs
in NYC schools by involving students, staff, and custodians in training and hands-on
education. Download free resources from their online toolkit: grownyc�org/rcp.
Materials for the Arts offers eld trips, professional development, and in-school
residencies focused on creative reuse: nyc�gov/mfta.
NYC Department of Education Sustainability Initiative provides info on waste,
energy, and conservation for schools: schools�nyc�gov/sustainability.
Item Count Order Quantity
CURRICULUM MATERIALS
NYC K-12 School RRResource Guide # of teachers
DSNY Coloring Book, Grades PreK - 1 # of Prek & 1 Graders
DSNY Comic Book, Grades 2-3 # of 2nd & 3rd Graders
DSNY Comic Book, Grades 4-6 # of 4th - 6th Graders
RECYCLING INFO
School Staff Guide # of staff who need info
Checklist Removable Sticker # of staff, students
Recycling Checklist # of staff, students
Bookmark - NYC Recycles # of students
Harmful Products Brochure # of staff, students
COMPOSTING INFO
NYC Compost Project brochure # of staff who need info
Outdoor Composting Guide # of staff who need info
Indoor Composting With a Worm Bin # of staff who need info
T-SHIRTS: RECYCLE MORE, WASTE LESS!
Gray T-shirts # Child L
Gray T-shirts # Adult L
Gray T-shirts # Adult XL
White T-shirts # Child L
White T-shirts # Adult L
White T-shirts # Adult XL
NYC Department of Sanitation
Recycling & Sustainability
PO Box 156
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-0156
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
DEPARTMENT
OF SANITATION
NYC
School
Recycling
Guide
NYCRecycles
nyc.gov/recycle
Bin decals and posters: to label bins and set up
recycling areas and waste sorting stations.
NYC K-12 Schools RRResource Guide: acclaimed
NYC-based lesson plans and activities that help you
meet current Common Core and other educational
standards.
Educational coloring and comic books: for
different reading levels, PreK-6.
Free RRResources for Schools
Order online at nyc.gov/recycle
