Greener Greenies: Newman Adopts New Recycling Program

[FULL STORY]

In an effort to reduce waste and promote a greener New Orleans, Newman has instated a new recycling program. The School just finalized an agreement with Progressive Waste Solutions to begin a single-stream recycling program on campus. Newman is among the first independent schools in the area to commit to such a program. It is our hope that we not only reduce the School’s waste, but also influence other schools to follow our lead and institute recycling programs of their own. Another goal and benefit of the program is that it can raise awareness among students about waste and recycling and help them to be conscientious consumers.

 

The Recycling Team is in the process of purchasing and installing bins all over campus to collect materials for recycling. Every school office and many classrooms will have bins that will be collected and emptied into a recycling dumpster located behind the bleachers of Lupin Field. Larger containers will be installed in the Dining Hall and Facilities building to accommodate the shipping boxes and food cartons. Lisa Swenson, Newman’s 6th Grade Dean and the School’s recycling coordinator, is working with the Dining Hall staff and the Facilities Department to identify recyclable materials and work out a collection strategy.

 

The Progressive Waste Management recycling program uses a single stream process, meaning that recycling materials can be mixed and are later sorted at a recycling plant. This makes it easier and more convenient to recycle as there is no need to pre-sort the materials. The bins will accept all sorts of paper, envelopes, cardboard, soda cans, drink bottles, tin cans, food cartons, and assorted plastics (types #1-7). The bins cannot accept plastic bags, napkins or tissues, Styrofoam, or glass.

 

It goes without saying that recycling has an environmental benefit, but Newman’s program also has a pragmatic, economic benefit for the School. Every pound of recycling collected removes a pound from our traditional dumpster. A robust program will remove tons of waste from our dumpster and save the School money over time.

 

Newman’s recycling program is a school-wide effort and will also have an educational component for students in all grade levels. On October 22, Katie Van Deventer of Progressive Waste co-hosted a recycling-themed middle school assembly with Lisa Swenson. The two explained the benefits of recycling, the recycling process, and how students can help with the program at the School. The MS Green Team club has planned a Nike Reuse-a-Shoe Drive to coincide with the recycling effort to help teach students about reuse versus recycling. Lower school students will be mobilized to make signage and create presentations about recycling. Swenson explains that the recycling program dovetails with her science curriculum, saying, “A large component of what I teach in science is about human impact on the environment, such as water, land, and air quality, and emphasizing recycling fits into that nicely. Having an all-encompassing program helps to reinforce the core concepts of what I teach in science.” he Upper School is organizing an “Adopt a Bin” program where students volunteer to regularly empty recycling containers around the School.

 

Newman joins a number of public and charter schools that have signed on to recycling programs and are recycling with great success. Some schools have reduced their waste by as much as 50 percent. Newman has recently joined in the Saints Recycle Challenge, in which participating schools are competing to see who can recycle the greatest amount by December 18, 2013. The winning school will get two Saints Junior Training Camps. The Training Camps are events in which Saints players and trainers will come to the School to show students how the Saints stay in top athletic condition – and the students get to participate in a round of training camp drills.

 

Please join us in encouraging your children and fellow Newman community members to pitch in and participate in Newman’s new recycling program. Together we can reduce waste that is going into area landfills, help support the renewable industries, and teach our students about conservation. If you would like to know more about Newman’s recycling program, recycling in general, or how you can help in the effort, please email Lisa Swenson at Lisaswenson@newmanschool.org or visit www.progressivewaste.com.