Page 525 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGIES AND STRATEGIES 503

students and staff of the separation process also creates an additional management
concern.
3 Finding appropriate suppliers for waste removal and recycling. Well established
and reliable waste removal and recycling providers are critical for a successful pro-
gram; when meeting with prospective companies, request a list of references.
4 Staff constraints—Many schools have limited staff, including custodial, to perform
waste collection and recycling activities.
5 Budgetary constraints—Many schools operate on very lean budgets and have lim-
ited funds to invest in environmental projects, including the purchase of recycling
containers and promotional materials.

40.4 Potential Technologies

and Strategies

The three Rs (reduce-reuse-recycle) is a resource conservation philosophy promoting
a reduction in solid waste generation through changes in the manner in which materi-
als are purchased, used, and discarded. This approach can easily be integrated into a
school district’s business and educational culture to conserve resources, reduce waste,
and save money. A successful school district waste reduction program depends on the
coordination of administration, management, faculty, staff, students, and parents.
The following provide specific waste reduction strategies that can be implemented
within each program area of a school district, and, as a result, can be incorporated into
the school district’s daily operations. These strategies can also serve as the basis for
developing administrative procedures for each district department to support a district-
wide waste reduction policy:

■ District administration—Suggestions on how to provide administrative direction
and support through district-wide integrated waste management policy and admin-
istrative procedures.
■ Business services—Information regarding contracting for waste management serv-
ices and paper waste reduction opportunities for school and district offices and
printing areas.
■ Facilities and planning—Excellent resources regarding greening school district
building projects, including recycling construction and demolition wastes.
■ Food service—Waste reduction ideas for the cafeteria and kitchen, including “offer
versus serve,” food donations, recycling, composting, school gardens, and more.
■ Maintenance and operations—Waste reduction suggestions for the custodial,
grounds, and maintenance operations.
■ Personnel—Ideas for incorporating waste reduction program goals into duty state-
ments and employee evaluations.
■ Purchasing—Tips on how to purchase for waste reduction and how to buy recycled
and other environmentally preferable products.