How to Get Newspaper Recycling Bins for Schools

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 34 percent of a typical municipal solid waste stream derives from paper products. Newspaper recycling bins help to encourage care and preservation of the earth's natural resources. Recycling aids in the reprocessing of used materials in order to create new products. Placing bins in your school can motivate students, teachers and administrators to save used products, including newspapers, water bottles, glass products and plastic ware, at home as well. Doing this increases the natural resources saved each year.

Instructions

1. Gain the support of your school administration. Solicit and receive the approval of your principal and other school leaders to procure the bins if this is the first time you are starting the program. Advise your principal to gain the support of the school board. Ask your principal to announce the start of the newspaper recycling program so students, teachers and administrators are aware and encouraged to participate. Keep in mind the more support you have from executives, the more successful your campaign may be.

2. Build teams. Solicit volunteers to work as members of the newspaper recycling team. Build a team of interested students and teachers. Identify key stakeholders in the recycling program. Assign someone to work with your school's janitorial services to combine newspapers from the bin into one large container or garbage bag. Schedule a daily pickup of the recycling newspapers from your local sanitation department.

3. Contact government offices. Telephone your state's environmental protection department (see Resources). Tell the agent you speak with you are starting a newspaper recycling program at your school. Ask if you can obtain free recycling bins directly through the department. Check with your city environmental or recycling alliance offices. For example, Philadelphia provides free recycling containers for residents by calling (215) 685-RECYCLE. Telephone your local solid waste department. Ask for free or low-cost recycling bins. Keep in mind each city and state agency may handle the procurement of bins differently.

4. Contact recycling bin suppliers (see Resources). Tell them you want bins for your school newspaper recycling program. Ask for a discount or donation of 10 to 20 bins. Work through your school principal and board of education to pay relevant invoices related to the program.

5. Take part in programs such as the Coca-Cola Company National Recycling Coalition Bin Grant Program. Fill out the online grant at bingrant.org (see Resources) during the program's open period. Keep in mind that the grant is competitive and not all applications are accepted. Telephone a program administrator at [phone] should you have questions or concerns about the grant.

6. Create your own. Take a sturdy plastic or metal container that can hold 10 to 20 gallons of material. Use a magic marker. Write "Newspaper Recycle Bin" across the side of the container. Decorate the containers with the help of your team members. Place the bins strategically throughout your school.

Resources

• State Departments of Environmental Protection
• Recycling Bin Suppliers
• Bin Grant