Schools
use a lot of different products and materials everyday. They also generate
waste. Schools can successfully recycle materials and some of their waste. Different practices in schools
can reduce the amount of materials used and waste generated, as well as
increase the number of materials being
recycled. The NSW Government aims for sustainable waste management and higher
rates of recycling.
1.
General Waste General waste is made
up of all materials that cannot be recycled through other waste streams. It is collected and transported to a landfill
site where it is buried. Some landfill sites extract methane from decomposing
waste for their energy needs. Paper
contaminated with food waste needs to go into general waste.
2.
Paper Recycling Paper and cardboard
products are the most common items a school recycles. Secure documents are
stored in locked bins before being
shredded and joining other paper fibres.
3.
Co-Mingled Recycling Co-Mingled
recycling collects aluminium cans, glass
bottles, plastic bottles, steel cans,Tetrapaks and cartons for recycling.
4.
E-Waste Computers, phones, toner
cartridges, printers and batteries all contain resources that can be recycled.
5.
Organic Waste Schools can manage
organic waste on site. Composting systems and worm farms manage fruit and
vegetable waste, and mulching recycles green waste. Both processes produce
nutrient rich materials for use on gardens.