Reducing Cafeteria Waste

School Recycling Nuts & Bolts Moving Toward Zero WasteCarolyn Dann, Arlene MillerMassDEP Municipal Assistance Coordinators MassRecycle R3 Conference, K-12 Meeting, 3/27/17

Who are we? Why are we here? Who are you and what are your areas of interest?

Message: High-Performing Schools can be Zero Waste Schools!

Info presented here was compiled from work done by our team to support WR in schools. The main goals for our talk today is to give you suggestions to help you move your schools towards ZW; to help you remove some of the barriers; and to start the conversation about designing the schools of the future that will make ZW easier than trashing.

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OverviewWhy Schools Care about Recycling?

Recycling Flows Classroom CafeteriaLoading Dock

Designing a Zero Waste School, Where Sustainable Design Meets Sustainable Practice FlexibilityParallel Access to RecyclingMobility

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Why Do We Recycle?

Educational valueTeaching by DoingProject-Based Learning opportunity

CD: To help build the case to make any changes to an existing system, we need to start with answering why?. Lets just review why we do recycle in schools.3

Why Do We Recycle?

State Waste Bans - DO apply to schools!

As generators of solid waste, municipalities need to ensure that banned materials are separated from trash at their municipal offices and facilities, including schools, town halls, and parks departments.www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/recycle/solid/wbanmuni.pdf

Good CitizenshipSchools also need to follow the Rules!

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Why Do We Recycle?

Savings:Less trashFewer pickupsSmaller dumpsters

The way trash is billed is by pickups and size of container and can save money by reducing size and/or pickups.Chicopee Initiatives:New equipment: 200 recycling bins, 63 carts , 100 41-quart baskets for mailrooms/copy roomsRecycling outreach: plus newsletters, library books, video-lab kits, posters and stickers, meetings with all staff, and EPA workbooks

Outcomes:Reduced # of pickups by 537Saved ~$28,000/yr

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Why Do We Recycle?

It is about more than money!Better use of natural resourcesSaves energy

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Whats Left in a Schools Waste After A Good Recycling Program?

Message: If designed to accommodate recycling and composting of what is currently trash could be captured for higher value by recycling and composting.Mention that we will focus on Classroom, Cafeteria and Loading Dock.

Note: This is a waste sort of a HS where they are actively recycling classroom paper, diverting liquids, containers and food waste in the cafeteria and yet there is still more to be done. Note: still only 23% really should be trash here.

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Classroom RecyclingPaper and Bottles/CansSSR or DS?Parallel Access = Located adjacent to each other

Other Best Practices:Consistent color-codingWell-labeled Consider space for organics

Recycling in Common AreasParallel Access Mobile

Flexible DS or SSR

Great Signage

CD: In common areas (offices, library, media centers, gyms) it is important to set up recycling RIGHT. Parallel sorting, good signage and simple instructions are all KEY. This is an example of a setup in a library. The main common areas have the same set-up. Each set-up shown cost about $300. The custodians like the fact that they have less trash each day and the recycling is not contaminated. They can combine the paper and containers when they collect them but keeping the station dual-stream helps enforce the message of no contamination and works for people who may be visitors.9

Consolidation Points

Design for mobility without impeding hall traffic

Heres another common issue: storage for recycling barrels in hallways. FD have concerns if they block the flow of traffic. Ideally, every trash barrel would have a companion recycling station.10

Recommendations for Classrooms and Common AreasClassrooms:Parallel access = recycling + trash at same spot Flexibility: Options for recycling containers

Hallways and Common areasMobility: Places for storing, consolidating

Great Signage everywhere

Lets Talk about CafeteriasKitchen/Prep Area

Dining Area

Kitchen/Food Prep Design NeedsDish machineFood waste containersPrep wasteLeftoversCan CrusherStorage space forCardboard Food cans and plastic containersTilt truck to hold and transport

Dish machines reduce volume of trash and weight by avoiding disposal of thousands of trays per year.Food prep and leftovers generate food wasteKitchens have lots of containers to be recycled 13

Myth Busting re Reusable Trays

Dish machines = BEST way to reduce wasteFramingham retrofit 3 schoolsNO added labor costReduced trash 50%Saved ~ $2000/year400 foam trays/day for 180 days at $0.03 each =$2160/yr 400 reusable trays at $4.00/tray used 15 yrs= $106/yr

Many districts have new schools (Ashland, Concord, Framingham, Franklin, Marshfield, Walpole)Framingham retrofit and found no added labor cost requiredCost savings: Compostable 8-10 cents, Foam 3-5 cents per tray, Reusable have 15-yr life and average 0.00148

Local leaders: Ashland, Concord, Framingham, Franklin, Marshfield, and Walpole.

Framingham converted 3 schools to dish machines in 2012

Trash reduced 50%Also compost food scrapsGarden at High SchoolNo added labor cost neededDecision often based on long term evaluation of costs and the will of the school community. Newer dish machines: energy and water efficient- quick sanitizing wash

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Dining Areas: How Much Can Be Recycled? All but 8% in Beverly!

Every school is different, you can learn the most from doing a waste audit. You and the students will both be amazed. Here are consolidated results from 7 Beverly school audits done by Change Is Simple. Waste sorts I have done show that more than half of what is discarded can be composted, liquids can be very substantial, and trash is clearly less than 20%. Actual trash is typically comprised of foam trays and food service ware, as well as straws, wrappers and baggies, etc.

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Common Problem Recycling Centers

Dead endWrong placeWrong size for barrels

Needs to fit 150 students in ~5minutes

Common Problems we run into well-intentioned, but not utilized. 16

Common Problems Recycling Centers

Enclosed spaceAll doors look sameInflexible Not moveableWrong location for student lunch trafficWrong size doors for barrels

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Design To Drain Liquids, Rinse Collection PointDisposal/cleaning

Actually how schools are reducing waste.Custodians often like this because it reduces the messy, smelly bags from the cafeteria. It reduces the weight of trash significantly and trash is priced by weight and volume so that saves on the disposal cost.If had 5 gal/day x 180 days x 8 lbs/g =7200 lbs of liquids or 3.6 tons per year of weight going into the trash unnecessarily.Design needs: Easy access to drain or slop sink and rinsing station.18

Recycle Cartons/BottlesInside collection pointOutside Storage

Design needs separate collection barrel inside and outside19

Divert Food WasteInside CollectionOutside Storage

Parallel AccessMobileFlexibleGood Signage20

Custodians View

Liquids pour-off makes cafeteria trash easier, cleaner

Food waste separation more work but makes trash lighter and students can help oversee.

You may be concerned that this looks like more work for the custodians but it has not been my experience.Liquids pour-off is their favorite because it makes the trash easier, lighter, and less messy to deal with. Food waste may mean a bit more work but student helpers are often available.

After this slide, switch to Kathi.21

Why Mobility Matters

Design For:Parallel access Mobilityon dolliesFlexibilityEasy to connect and disconnect Easy to add more Good signage at eye level

Additional Recommendations For CafeteriasDesign for waste reduction Dish machines Can crushersCardboard storage - add tilt truck photoIndoor recycling storageDesign for Custodian, i.e., easy access to: Drain/slop sinkBarrel rinsing equipmentInterior barrel storage area Exterior grade-level storage for truck pickup

Source of SavingsMost savings come from reducing trash pickups in size of dumpster or frequency of pickup or include compactors

Design loading dock for 2-3 dumpsters (trash, recycling and cardboard)

Provide access ramp to grade level to roll out recycling and/or organics carts

Chicopee Initiatives:New equipment: 200 recycling bins, 63 carts , 100 41-quart baskets for mailrooms/copy roomsRecycling outreach: plus newsletters, library books, video-lab kits, posters and stickers, meetings with all staff, and EPA workbooks

Outcomes:Reduced # of pickups by 537Saved ~$28,000/yr

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The Loading DockWhere It All Comes TogetherCommon ProblemsAwkward Outside spaceInadequate Inside spaceExamples of good designRecommendationsParallel AccessFlexibilityMobility

Common Problem No Ramps, Fences Blocking Dumpsters

CD: Here are some examples of problems. No wonder many custodians hate recycling.27

No Ramps, Dumpsters Too Far Away

Dumpsters Out of the Way and Often Buried In Winter Snow

Awkward Access to Compactors

Too far away from platform

Sometimes openings too low

Design for Mobility, FlexibilityFlexibility = add carts as neededMobility = access to ground level

CD: Need storage for carts outside as well

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Include Indoor Storage, Indoor AccessBarrels need indoor storage until pick-up day in most areas:Protects from weatherPrevents litter, vandalism, addition of neighborhood trashOr, a direct connection to a compactor.

Details Matter: Distance to Dock, Height of Openings

Recommendations for the Loading DockLoading dock with space for:1) SSRecycling dumpster or compactor2) Cardboard dumpster or 2nd dumpster (if DS)3) Trash dumpster (smaller), and 4) A ramp for carts to roll to grade levelNo fences/rails blocking access to dumpstersIndoor storage areasCardboard breakdown and storage tilt truckSpace to store wheeled carts inside or access the compactor

Helpers Are Available (Municipal Assistance Coordinators)

Green Team (www.thegreenteam.org)Equipment, adviceWestern Mass: Heather Wasilewskimac.westernma@gmail.comCentral Mass: Irene Congdon- Irene_congdon1@yahoo.comSoutheast 1: Todd KoepTKoep@town.halifax.ma.usSoutheast 2: Kathi Mirza - KMirza@taunton-ma.govNortheast 2: Sharon Byrne Kishida- SKishida@beverlyma.govNortheast 3: Carolyn Dann- CDann@bedfordma.gov Barnstable County: Kari Parcellkari.parcell@barnstablecounty.orgBoston area: Dawn QuirkDawn.Quirk@state.ma.us

Reflecting Our Values!The schools of the future should generate more recyclable and compostable material than trash.Maybe NO trash at all!

Can you help us get there?

THANK YOU!

The End, Extra slides follow

What Are Schools Doing? #7 Lots MoreTrayless TuesdaysTip, Tap, and Stack trays to save spaceFood Rescue/ Share TableCan recyclingCardboard recyclingLocker Clean-outsSpecial CollectionsEvent RecyclingSports Field Recycling

CD: Other options that can be starting points or next steps38

Recycling Savings? - WinchesterInitiatives:Assessments, team meetings, signage for classrooms, promotion, new SSR dumpstersWaste audits in cafeteriasEstablished ongoing Green Teams including Principal, custodian, one faculty and one parentCafeteria recycling liquids drained, cartons recycled, new cardboard trays recycled

OutcomesTrash dropped 10-11% from 23.5 to 21 T/monthRecycling increased 75% from 3.6 to 6.3 T/monthAvoided disposal cost @$60/ton = $1600/year (assuming 2.7 more tons recycled each month for 10 months)

Savings? - PittsfieldInitiatives2008 - 8-week pilot recycling program in 3 schools. 2009 - expansion to other 11 schools.Team: schools facilities manager and the manager of custodians; the Citys hauler (Allied Waste); City DPW and MassDEP, as well as staff from the Center for Ecological Technology (CET).OutcomesClassrooms got recycling bins from MassDEPs Green Team and DPW.New trash-collection contract with district-wide paper and cardboard recycling saved 15% (~$15,000/year). Additional avoided cost savings from reduced trash equaled ~$38,000 per year.

Other Ways to Green A SchoolHooks for small compost bucketsWater bottle-filling stations

Other AreasTeacher prep areasLibraries/Media centersAdministrative areasCopy roomsFlexible equipment:IF SSR exists, one/room:6-gal container14-gal or 18-gal bin22-gal bin for prep areasWheeled carts as consolidation pointsIf not SSR, need twoSmaller one for containersLarger for paper

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Composting and Gardening

Compost areas need to be near dumpsters so easy for custodians to bring out food.Gardens need to be accessible to bring in plants, soil, compost

CD: Composting can include: Food scraps from kitchen prep, lunch waste, and soiled napkins and paper towels. Also compostable trays if used. Shortly you will hear from Hingham about their successful program for composting onsite. You can start small by collecting veg or salad scraps on one day per week and putting into on-site compost bin. Going bigger involves collecting all fruit and vegetable leftovers and requires a dedicated staff leader and a team of students but can turn into a beautiful, tasty garden and source of local organic food. 46

Recycling Flows - CafeteriaCafeteria:Liquids -> Bucket or Slim Jim -> Sink or DrainCardboard -> tilt truck/cart -> dumpsterCans/bottles/cartons -> slim jim -> bag -> dumpsterFood waste -> slim jim or barrel -> outside barrelEquipment:Mobile, two-sided recycling stations in cafeteriaFlexible to adapt to changesBarrel washerSink/drain easily accessible to custodiansCan crusher and can storage inside kitchenCardboard breakdown area inside building