A Partnership Between Broward County Recycling and Contract Administration Division and Broward County School Board.

As the fifth largest public educational school system in the nation, with more than 270,000 students and 30,000 employees, Broward County schools produce a lot of waste, much of which is recyclable. Nearly five million pounds of waste is recycled each year through a joint partnership comprised of the Broward County School Board, County Commissioners and the County Recycling and Contracts Administration Division (R.C.A.D.).

The School Board Recycling Program encompasses three major elements: collection, education, and tracking.

COLLECTION

The School Board recycling program currently provides collection for 225 schools and administrative offices. Recycling bins are provided for every classroom and students and custodial staff work jointly to collect and dispose of recyclable materials which include notebook, construction and office paper, magazines, newspapers, and cardboard. some schools also recycle metal, plastic and glass food and beverage containers from teacher's lounges.

Recyclable materials are put in dumpsters located outside of each school for weekly pick-up. The dumpsters (four, six, or eight cubic yard receptacles) are typically full of recyclables by collection day.

EDUCATION

This program also educates students and staff about the importance of recycling as it relates to municipal planning, economics, and the environment.

Recycling Made Easy--A Workshop For Facilities Service People

Components of the workshop include information and models on how recycling works and how to maximize recycling participation.

The "Recycling Report Card"--A Newsletter on School Recycling

The "Recycling Report Card" is a publication that highlights achievements and recycling success stories and is designed to educate and inform schools. The Report Card grades each school on its recycling efforts as compared to other schools. It also provides environmental information and recognizes the top ten schools each month.

Safety Town

R.C.A.D. also participates in Safety Town, a miniature city located in Tree Tops Park in Davie. Safety Town’s “recycling house” encourages visitors to recycle right at home and to promote the importance of sharing the recycling message with family and friends.

Career Days

Recycling staff regularly visit schools to discuss opportunities available in the solid waste and environmental industries.

Videos

Student Recycling Aides regularly show and lend-out Waste and Recycling Services-produced videos as part of their regular classroom presentations. The video presentations assist in communicating the message that recycling must be a part of everyday life.

TRACKING

Broward County staff compiles data on the pounds of recyclables collected each month at every school. The data is communicated to the schools via the Report Card and enables schools to measure their success.

At least twice a year, Broward County staff conducts waste audits at each school. The audits are used to determine whether garbage service can be reduced and the amount of recyclables remaining in the garbage.

Overall, the processes of collection, education, and tracking in the Broward County Schools Recycling Program have resulted in more than 40,000,000 pounds of recyclables collected:

• 1992-1993 ---------- 988,129 pounds
• 1993-1994 ---------- 2,250,918 pounds
• 1994-1995 ---------- 2,409,951 pounds
• 1995-1996 ---------- 3,000,000 pounds
• 1996-1997 ---------- 3,100,000 pounds
• 1997-1998 ---------- 2,564,000 pounds
• 1998-1999 ---------- 3,776,000 pounds
• 1999-2000 ---------- 4,520,000 pounds
• 2000-2001 ---------- 4,530,000 pounds
• 2001-2002 ---------- 4,504,000 pounds
• 2002-2003 ---------- 4,142,000 pounds
• 2003-2004 ---------- 4,592,000 pounds

Since its inception in 1992, the Broward County Schools Recycling Program has been recognized nationally as an innovative example of excellence in recycling. Awards include:

• U.S. Conference of Mayors' National Recycling in Schools Program for Innovative Recycling and Environmental Education Programs
• U.S. Conference of Mayors' National Leadership Awards/National Office Paper Recycling Program
• Effective Employee Education--1995
• Environmental Tracking--1996
• South Florida ECO Awards for Environmental Action (second place for all business/publications)
• Recycle Florida Today's Best School Recycling Program (nomination)
• Keep Florida Beautiful - Schools/Youth Category

For more information about the Schools Recycling Program call 954-765-4999.