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
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2 YEARS…
Source: Lauren Singer, http://www.trashisfortossers.com/
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%
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WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER?
WASTE OF SPACE
2 weeks
2 to 4 weeks
2 months
3 months
10 to 100 years
100 to 200 years
450 years
50 years to never
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WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER?
WASTE OF MONEY
= $104 / pick-up
= $24 / extra pick-up
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WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER?
WASTE OF EMISSIONS
= 740 lbs CO2
= 75 trees annual
CO2 intake
= CO2 pollution from
825 miles of driving
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WHY DOES ZERO WASTE MATTER?
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
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HOW DO WE KEEP TRASH OUT OF
LANDFILL?
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SORTING RULES OF THUMB
RECYCLING
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.
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SORTING RULES OF THUMB
RECYCLING
PLASTICS
 If it falls to the ground when dropped, recycle it.
 If it floats to the ground when dropped, landfill it.
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SORTING RULES OF THUMB
RECYCLING
METALS
 If it’s clean aluminum, tin, or steel, recycle it.
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SORTING RULES OF THUMB
RECYCLING
GLASS
 If it’s clean and unbroken, recycle it.
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SORTING RULES OF THUMB
COMPOST
 If it was once living, it can be composted (but sometimes it’s
a better use to recycle it, e.g., clean paper).
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
• Be a minimalist.
• Consistency is key.
• Make it fun.
• Follow through.
• Save space.
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
BINS
Location
Landfill
Compost
Recycle
Pick-up/Drop-off


School Entrance


Front/Main Office


Library


Classroom


Gym/Athletic Facilities


Performing Arts Center


Cafeteria



Kitchen


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Staff Break Room



Restroom (paper towels)

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
Hallway



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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
BINS
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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. 800. 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.
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
SIGNS
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
DUMPSTERS
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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
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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
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RESOURCES
Campus Zero Waste Guide
http://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/esac/doc
s/CampusZeroWasteGuide_031315.pdf
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RESOURCES
Campus Recycle/Compost Weight Reports
http://www.texasdisposal.com/green-school-solution/
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RESOURCES
Landfill/Compost/Recycle Stickers
http://austintexas.gov/page/zerowastebusinessresources
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RESOURCES
What to Recycle/Compost Posters
English: http://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/esac/images/RecycleCompostSigns_english.pdf
Spanish: http://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/esac/images/RecycleCompostSigns_spanish.pdf
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RESOURCES
“Special” Recyclables
http://search.earth911.com/
https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
http://www.crayola.com/colorcycle.aspx
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QUESTIONS??
Jen Cregar
AISD Sustainability Coordinator
e: jennifer.cregar@austinisd.org
p: (512) 414-3072
w: http://www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/esac
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