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Step 5 - Develop a Collection System Plan

Before collection begins, work out each step involved in moving the materials from the point of generation to the collector. Make the program simple and reasonably convenient for people to use. Efficient programs need to be as simple and organized as possible. Your plan needs to fit with the collector's equipment and schedule. Considerations in planning the recycling system include:

Points of Collection

Classrooms (white & mixed paper)

Break areas (aluminum cans)

Cafeteria (cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, glass, plastic)

Supply and storage rooms (cardboard)

Offices (white & mixed paper, cardboard)

Near copiers and printing equipment (paper)

Machine shop areas (metals, wood, paper, used motor oil, antifreeze)

Libraries (newspaper, white paper)

Computer labs (white paper)

Special events, athletic events, etc.

Containers

Different types of containers may be needed at particular locations. For example, smaller bins or containers (15 - 25 gallons, or boxes of comparable size) may be used in a classroom or office. A larger container (30-60 gallons) might be appropriate near copy machines.

Usually, containers will be needed:

At all collection points;

To transfer the materials from collection point to vendor pick-up areas (this may require a wheeled, hamper style container or wagon);

For storage while awaiting vendor pick-up (some facilities use a designated dumpster or storage shed). To avoid contamination (putting the wrong material in dumpster), dumpsters should be locked at all times.

Whatever type of collection container you use, be sure they are clearly marked for recycling and that they are placed in convenient locations.

You can start with cardboard boxes or specially marked trash containers converted for recycling. However specially made recycling containers work best because they have different shapes, colors and sizes from regular containers. Placing trash containers near recycling bins to help avoid getting trash in your recycling bins.

You may want to check with your local fire department to see if there are any special requirements that you need to meet. Large open-topped containers of paper could be a fire hazard.

Outside containers might be specially marked dumpsters or large containers provided by vendors. School trade/machine shops might help to design or produce special recycling containers. Talk with your vendor and local government about options for containers.

Movement and Handling of Materials

Two questions to address about materials handling are:

How will the materials be moved from collection points to storage or pickup area?

Who will move the materials?

Typically, paper is collected in a special container in each classroom or office. These containers are regularly emptied into larger rolling containers or centralized containers scattered throughout the building. The materials are then moved to a storage area to be held for pickup.

Materials may be handled or transferred by students, faculty, custodial staff or a combination of these. It is crucial that the movement of materials is well planned and efficient regular schedule to minimize the amount of effort needed to implement this program.

Although your system will probably evolve, recycling is likely to be a permanent change in your school's waste management procedures; so remember to think long term.

Specific handling needs -

cafeteria materials: ...

Steel food and beverage cans can be nested to save space, or both ends removed and flattened. It is usually not necessary to remove labels - check with your vendor. The cans should be rinsed clean of food. To conserve water, cans can be rinsed at the end of regular food cleanup, using available sink water. Lids from steel cans are also recyclable and should be stored in the bottom of an open can or inside flattened cans.

Glass containers should be rinsed, sorted and stored in central collection containers. Glass containers should be cleaned and prepared for recycling in the same way as food cans by rinsing in available sink water or placing them in a less than full dishwasher. Plastic and metal caps need to be removed, labels can be left on. Only container glass should be included; light bulbs, ceramic and pyrex glass, mirrors and laboratory glass is not acceptable for recycling.

Material Storage

Frequently, you will use intermediate or central collection points within a building. Storage areas might include designated closets, empty room, etc. Consider local safety, health and fire codes while planning your system.

You could also store materials in an outside location. Outside storage options might include plastic bags, a storage room or building, special dumpsters or other recycling containers provided by a vendor. Collected recyclables must be kept clean and dry.

Material Pickup

If a commercial collector or city or county does not pick up you recyclables other options include:

Have school personnel take collected materials to a vendor or a city recycling facility;

Coordinating collection activities with other schools participating in a recycling program;

Sending materials to a central location using designated supply vehicles;

Working with a local business owner to store consolidated materials.