Schools and Offices
Schools, including K-12, colleges, and universities, and offices typically generate the following grades of recyclable paper and paperboard:
- White paper
- Mixed paper
- Corrugated cardboard
- Magazines and journals
- Newspapers
If you are interested in setting up or managing a recycling program, be sure to first learn the basics of paper recycling. This section provides some additional information about setting up paper recycling programs at:
For information about recycling at public places such as parks, airports, stadiums, and at special events, visit EPAs Recycle on the Go program.
K-12 Schools
Schools use volumes of paper each day that could be recycled. Why not bring recycling to the classroom? Students will apply what they learn in school to the rest of their lives. Participating in a recycling program is a great way to teach environmental education.
Helpful Hints
- Collect recyclable paper before it becomes part of the trash
- Education makes a difference. If students understand why they are recycling, they are more likely to put more effort into it.
- Make recycling a school wide activity with events, competitions, and incentives.
- Put recycling bins in each classroom and throughout the hallways so that they are easily accessible.
- To encourage their involvement, designate a green team of student representatives from different grades to monitor the bins.
- Use the PaperRecycles.org School Recycling Lesson Plan to set up a paper recycling program at your school.
- When you are recycling, do not forget that it is important to keep the paper free from contaminants.
- Find project ideas for kids, information about school recycling programs, and legislation news at the RecycleWorks At School website .
- Order an Eco-Cycle Waste Reduction Kit for use in the classroom and get tips about setting up a recycling program in a school.
- To see how other schools have been successful in paper recycling initiatives, read their success stories.
Colleges and Universities
Imagine how much paper colleges across the country use and discard every day. Term papers and reports, journals and magazines, newspapers, exam booklets, mail, campus fliers, old text books, and the millions of pages of classroom notes are all sources of recyclable paper.
Helpful Hints
- Collect the recyclable paper before it becomes part of the trash.
- Locate recycling bins where they are most convenient. Place recycling bins next to trash cans.
- Educate and advertise.
- Clearly label the bins.
- Monitor the program.
- Show your school spirit and enter your college or university in the RecycleMania competition! Sign up and receive assistance on starting your own school-wide recycling program.
- Use University of Oregons step-by-step How to Set Up a Recycling Program website and their comprehensive Recycling and Beyond website to learn all about recycling on college campuses. University of Missouri also offers a step-by-step guide to starting a recycling program .
- To see how other colleges and universities have been successful in their paper recycling initiatives, read about success stories.
Offices
The average office worker generates approximately 2 pounds of paper and paperboard products every day. From mistakes printed on the laser printer, bad photocopies, old memos and reports, to old periodicals, 90 percent of all office waste is paper. With that much paper discarded on a consistent basis, office buildings are ideal for recycling programs because large quantities of paper can be gathered efficiently.
Helpful Hints
- Collect the recyclable paper before it becomes part of the trash.
- Make it convenient. Consider providing employees with their own paper collection bin by their desks.
- Some of the best places to put large collection bins are near copiers, mailrooms, and printers.
- Clearly label all collection bins and include slotted lids to reduce contamination.
- Separating or combining white and mixed paper: White or cream paper generally has the highest value if collected separately.
- Office buildings and universities are most likely to generate enough white recyclable paper to warrant collecting it separately.
- Mixed paper, on the other hand, which includes paper of all color and type, is generally of lower value.
- Frequency of pick-up: The amount of paper generated over a set timeframe and storage capacity will determine pickup schedule.
- Read the PaperRecycles.org Workplace Recycling Guide to get started.
- For more tips, use the 9 Steps of Office Paper Recycling (PDF) (2 pp, 16 K, about PDF) from the Maine State Planning Office.
- When youre recycling, dont forget to avoid contaminants as much as possible.
- For more information, visit Paper Recycles
- Visit GreenPrint to learn how to save paper every day.
- To see how other offices have been successful in paper recycling initiatives, read their success stories.