School, Pollution, & Procrastination
School is in session. New classes. New clubs. New crushes. How exciting!
If you’re already in procrastination mode, this article is a good use of your time. We found three ways that students can help reduce trash waste in schools:
National Public Radio reports that students throw less food in the trash when schools provide more local food options. Currently less than 20 percent of school meals consist of local food. While the trend is slow, the tide is turning. Students, Google which non-profit organizations in your area offer farm-to-school programs. Call them and ask how your school can get involved.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency conducted a study that found “over 78% of school waste could be diverted from the trash to organics composting and container/paper recycling collection programs.” What student settles for 78% in school? If we want to do better than 78% on a test, we can do better than tossing 78% of the study guides in the trash. Students, ask your administrators whether the school’s current trash collection program offers additional composting and recycling collection programs. If so, see whether they’ll call to sign up the school.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation, a non-profit organization in Maryland, created an 8-step program to help schools become Trash Free as part of their Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative. It’s easy for schools and environmental clubs to start small, organize, and educate their peers on how to reduce waste throughout school. Students, check out their website, sign the Trash Free School Pledge, and start today!
A little bit of research goes a long way in making schools cleaner and greener. And once you check out our links, consider hitting those books again. You don’t want to get a 78, do you?
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