Recycling_Content Page_Waste Reduction in Schools

Waste Reduction And Diversion In Wisconsin Schools

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides guidance for educators, administrators, facilities staff and students to implement effective waste management practices across school campuses. Explore tips for handling solid waste, food waste, electronics and other required recyclables and learn how schools can go beyond the basics to save money, recover resources and develop more sustainable school communities.

Wisconsin School Recycling Laws

Wisconsin law requires recycling certain materials everywhere, including in schools. Each school should coordinate with its waste hauler for the collection of recyclable materials banned from landfill disposal in Wisconsin. Since recycling capabilities and accepted materials vary by facility, it is essential to establish clear communication and understanding with your local provider to ensure effective recycling practices. Find more information on recyclable items banned from landfills.

Understanding Waste Streams Generated In Schools

Schools generate a significant amount of waste each year through daily activities such as classroom instruction, food service, events and building operations. Waste is any material that is no longer needed and is discarded, and it can be broken down into several waste streams with different management options and requirements. Ensuring your school has a plan in place for all waste streams is essential to maintaining a clean, safe and compliant school environment. Although waste haulers play an important role in collecting and transporting waste, schools play a vital role in proper sorting, reduction and education to ensure waste is managed responsibly.

Waste StreamDefinitionMaterials InvolvedWhy It Matters
Solid WasteRefers to materials often thrown away that cannot be reused, recycled or composted and does not fall within other categories.Includes food wrappers, drink cups, old school supplies and other items that are thrown in the trash.Reducing solid waste allows landfills to stay in operation longer and decreases greenhouse gas emissions.
RecyclingRefers to the process of separating recoverable reusable materials to be processed and made into new products.Materials like paper, cardboard and containers made of glass, aluminum, steel and plastics #1 and #2 are banned from Wisconsin landfills and must be recycled.Recycling allows materials to stay in use for longer which saves energy resources and reduces the need for new raw materials.
Food WasteRefers to any food that is fit for consumption but is not consumed for various reasons such as spoilage, overstocking or expiration.Common food waste includes vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells – all of which can be composted.Diverting food waste prevents methane emissions in landfills and can prevent food insecurity.
E-wasteRefers to anything operated with a battery or electric power and that contains a circuit board.Many electronics, including computers, monitors, printers, smartboards and TVs are banned from Wisconsin landfills and incinerators.Responsibly disposing of E-waste recovers valuable materials and keeps harmful chemicals out of landfills.

 

Waste Management Benefits

Reducing and diverting waste through reusing, recycling, composting and buying recycled products helps schools and districts in several important ways:

  • Saves energy and cuts greenhouse gas emissions: When organic waste like food and paper decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Reducing organic waste through recycling and composting helps prevent these materials from ending up in landfills, thereby decreasing methane emissions.
  • Decreases demand for raw materials and saves landfill space: Purchasing materials made with recycled content, composting food waste and recycling materials lessens the need to extract and process natural resources like trees and minerals, which can harm ecosystems. It also keeps waste out of landfills, reducing pollution and extending the landfill's lifespan.
  • Reduces disposal costs: Waste disposal fees are often based on the tonnage, so reducing waste sent to landfills can result in disposal cost reductions for schools and districts. These actions may also allow you to reduce your waste dumpster pick-up frequency and support other educational needs with the savings.
  • Supports environmental education and develops stewardship: Engaging students in waste reduction efforts teaches them about sustainability, environmental responsibility and decision making. It offers hands-on learning opportunities, encourages community involvement and helps develop skills like teamwork and critical thinking.
  • Helps address food insecurity and builds community: Reducing food waste by donating or sharing it within the school community supports students and families who may be experiencing food insecurity. These efforts not only prevent food from being wasted but also promotes equity and strengthens partnerships with local food banks or community organizations.

Work With Wisconsin Partners

Work with experts to start your waste journey. For technical assistance, resources, and data, check out the resources below:

  • Wisconsin DNR: The DNR is the state agency that regulates waste in Wisconsin. This agency offers free educational resources, outreach materials and regulatory guidance.
  • E- Cycle Wisconsin: E-Cycle Wisconsin is a manufacturer-funded, statewide program that collects and recycles certain electronics used by households and K-12 schools. Review DNR's Electronics Recycling Information for Schools webpage.
  • Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: Green & Healthy Schools works with Wisconsin classrooms, schools and districts by providing ideas and recognition for sustainability efforts including waste reduction and diversion through a partnership between the Departments of Natural Resources and Public Instruction.
  • Recycling Connections: Recycling Connections is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that offers workshops, consultations and resources for waste reduction, recycling and composting in schools.
  • Local partners: Local partners include waste haulers, nonprofits, local governments (city or county) and local landfill or materials recovery facilities (MRFs) that can help guide and assist you in your efforts. MRFs process materials for reuse or recycling as part of each local government’s responsible unit (RU) recycling program.

Additional Waste Streams Banned From The Landfill Or Regulated

Below are additional waste streams that may be found in your school or in the school district that are regulated in Wisconsin. Based on compliance requirements and potential safety concerns, these are best managed by people such as school district environmental and safety compliance professionals or facilities staff who are familiar with the properties of the material and the regulatory requirements.

Infectious waste includes unused or used sharps, such as hypodermic needles, syringes with needles, scalpel blades, lancets, broken glass or rigid plastic vials, and laboratory slides. More information is available regarding Wisconsin's infectious waste regulations.

Hazardous waste includes certain materials used in the maintenance of buildings as well as in classrooms. Common hazardous waste streams found in schools include paints, corrosive liquids, cleaning supplies, solvents and chemicals used in chemistry, biology, art and technical education classes. More information can be found on the Management of Hazardous Waste in Wisconsin webpage.

Universal waste includes materials that contain hazardous constituents such as mercury and lithium but can be managed with reduced compliance obligations when managed appropriately. Materials classified as universal waste in Wisconsin include:

  • hazardous waste batteries, such as lithium, nickel-cadmium, silver oxide and lead-acid;
  • hazardous waste pesticides that are either recalled or collected in waste pesticide collection programs;
  • hazardous waste aerosol cans;
  • thermometers and mercury-containing equipment; and
  • hazardous waste lamps, such as fluorescent bulbs.

More information can be found on the Management of Universal Waste in Wisconsin webpage.

Nicotine Wastes: E-cigarettes and Vaping Devices Collected by Schools and Institutions must be handled as hazardous waste when disposed of due to the presence of nicotine and lithium batteries. Refer to this DNR document on how to safely handle these devices.

What Schools Can Do

K-12 schools in Wisconsin play a key role in reducing, recovering and recycling waste while also teaching students about waste management practices like recycling, food waste reduction and proper disposal of hazardous materials. Below are simple strategies to get started including ways to reduce waste, create a reduction and diversion program, enhance recycling efforts and divert food waste.

Reduce Waste

Before schools even begin to manage their waste, it's essential to take a step back and evaluate the quantity and types of waste being generated. Reducing waste at the source is the most effective way to cut costs, minimize environmental impact and model sustainable habits for students. By assessing procurement practices—such as purchasing in bulk, choosing reusable or durable goods and avoiding single-use items—schools can significantly limit the amount of material that needs to be reused, recycled or sent to the landfill. Embedding waste reduction into school culture not only reduces physical waste but also cultivates critical thinking and environmental responsibility among students.

Create A Waste Reduction and Diversion Program

Creating a successful waste reduction and diversion program involves a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to understanding current waste practices and identifying opportunities for improvement. By planning, analyzing, designing, implementing and evaluating, students, schools and district staff can work together to reduce waste, increase diversion through recycling and composting and build a culture of environmental responsibility across the school community.

Enhance Recycling Efforts

Recycling is mandatory in Wisconsin, but many schools still don't recycle - often due to mistakes in the process. Check how recycling works at your school, spot the errors and share your findings to help improve!

Checklist for recycling right:

  1. Blue recycling bins are placed next to all black garbage bins with proper labels.
  2. The custodial staff is trained and has two large bins on their cart to separate the trash from recycling.
  3. There are two clearly labeled dumpsters outside the school building for trash and recycling.
  4. The schools waste hauler picks up the recyclable materials separate from trash.

Focus on Food Waste

Food waste is a major issue in schools - but also a major opportunity. While food waste is not regulated under Wisconsin law, schools are encouraged to conduct a student food waste audit to learn which kinds of foods go uneaten by students in a school cafeteria and why. This insight will help schools craft a strategy to reduce the financial and environment impacts of wasted food. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Wasted Food Scale can help schools prioritize prevention and diversion and over disposal. Learn more on the Understanding Sustainable Management of Food webpage.

  • Reduce Waste at the Source: Reduce food waste by adjusting meal planning, purchasing and serving based on the audit results. Allow students to decline some of the food offered that they do not intend to eat in an "offer versus serve" approach. Offer pre-sliced fruits and vegetables as well as multiple beverage choices to minimize waste. Schedule recess before lunch and extend the time that students have to eat.
  • Save, Re-Serve or Donate Edible Surplus: Allow students to save certain uneaten foods for later in the day. Wholesome leftovers may be re-served, given away to students during the same meal period (at a designated sharing table) or at a later time (at a "no, thank you" table). Local food pantries or shelters can often accept donations of unserved, wholesome food.
  • Collect Food for Animal Feed or Composting: Food scraps can be used for feeding animals, whether the animals are at school or in the community. (Check local regulations.) For food waste or scraps that cannot feed people or animals, composting can recycle the nutrients into valuable soil amendments - creating valuable learning opportunities for students. Composting can occur on site, or you can encourage your community to start a community compost or anaerobic digestion site to accept food waste.
  • Avoid the Landfill: Sending food waste down the drain or to the landfill should be the last option due to the environmental impacts of transporting waste and decomposition. The wasted food rots and produces methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times as powerful as CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere. The DNR and the EPA's food waste reduction goals are aligned to achieve a 50% reduction in food loss and waste by 2030. This state and national goal includes reducing food sent to landfills, incineration and other forms of disposal.

Waste Reduction In Schools Resource Links

Plan:

Waste Assessment 

Implementation

Curriculum Integration

Waste Streams

Recycling
Food Wastes
E-waste

For more information, contact