Reducing Cafeteria Waste
High Performing Schools Moving Toward Zero WasteCarolyn Dann,
Kathi MirzaMassDEP Municipal Assistance CoordinatorsMassRecycle R3
Conference, March 29, 2016
CD: One of 7 MACs, we serve munis across the state, TA for town
programs and sometimes 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.Ask audience:Who feels they
have an exemplary recycling program?Who manages custodial staff?Who
has been on a school building committee?Who has a recycling center
in a school that doesnt work well?You wouldnt install a sink
without connecting the plumbing so the goal of this presentation is
to help connect the dots of recycling in the same thorough way.
1
OverviewWhy?
What Can You Do in an Existing School?Examples from Hingham High
School
How to Design a NEW School?
CD2
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?
Following the Rules!State Waste Bans DO apply to schools and
municipal buildings, too!
Good CitizenshipSchools need to set a good example.
CD4
Why Do We Recycle?
SavingsLower trash tonnage -> less frequent p/u, lower
costDone well, no more time and maybe less!
Even more savings if compost onsiteReduces disposalProduces
compost for gardens or plantings
CD5
Why Do We Recycle?
Environmental BenefitsDownstream: Minimizes need for waste
disposal, landfillsUpstream: Reduces resources used in mining,
manufacturing and transportation
CD6
What Is in Beverlys Cafeteria Waste?
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.
7
AHS Whole School Waste Audit: Only 23% was actually trash!
CD: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.8
Goals for Your ProgramEasier than trash.
Sustainable you dont have to do this alone; establish a Green
Team (www.thegreenteam.org)
Teach all HOW and WHY!
CD: So, we will run thru some suggestions for how to get closer
to ZW in your school system, keeping in mind some key goals such
as:- Recycling s.b. easier than trashing, especially for the
custodians The programs should be sustainable for the long term,
not just one teacher/staff but involving a team or whole school.-
All members should understand both the How and the WHY of
recycling; students are likely to follow others examples so all
need to help.9
What You Can Do#1- Drain LiquidsWhy put messy, liquid filled
containers in the trash?
Reduce costs by separating liquids and pouring them down the
drain.
CD: Easy to set-up container to collect liquids. Some schools
use funnels or screens. Empty and rinse daily. 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 so that saves on the disposal cost.10
What You Can Do#2 - Recycle MoreRecycle more of whatever is
allowed by your hauler.
Cartons are now being recycled in many places as well as bottles
and cans. Check with the Carton Council for grants!
CD: After liquids are emptied from containers, be sure to
collect bottles, cans AND CARTONS for recycling. Bottles and cans
are prohibited from disposal in Mass. These materials have high
value, so we dont want to throw them away. And milk cartons contain
valuable fiber that is used to make new paper. Also, consider
getting a hydration station to encourage reusable water bottles.
Less waste will be created with fewer containers to manage.11
What You Can Do#3 - Compost
Onsite composting limited range of food wastes (no meat or
dairy, salad bar only?) but requires management.
Compost some or all
Compost can be used on gardens or grounds
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. 12
Or, Compost: Offsite
Good because it takes all food types and all kitchen
leftovers
But, cost can be an issue.
CD: Going all the way involves collecting all food waste
including meat and dairy products, which gets composted off-site.
There is a collection cost for this type of program but it can be
$1000 or less per school when you divert from both the kitchen and
the cafeteria and include the savings from disposal costs.
13
What Can You Do#4 - Special AreasParallel SortingRecycling next
to every trash container!Cost per set-up: ~$300Savings: Reduced
Trash Great Signage:LibrariesGymsLobbiesAdministration AreasSimple
InstructionsClean and Dry PaperEmpty Bottles and CansTrash the
Rest
CD: In common areas (offices, 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.14
What Can You Do #5 - Other Waste Reduction Options Trayless
TuesdaysTip, Tap, and Stack trays to save spaceAdd a Share TableCan
recyclingCardboard recyclingLocker Clean-outsSpecial
CollectionsEvent RecyclingSports Field Recycling
CD: Other options that can be starting points or next
steps15
Custodians ViewLiquids pour-off makes cafeteria trash easier,
cleanerFood waste separation more work but students can
help.96-gallon wheeled carts best for collecting recycling from
classrooms.
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.Providing large size wheeled carts that
are stored on each floor enables the teachers to make sure their
classroom bins get emptied when needed and makes collection faster
and easier.
After this slide, switch to Kathi.16
What You Can Do #6 - Reconsider Reusable TraysDishware options
for school foodservice operations include: Washable foodservice
ware & dish machines Compostable foodservice wareDisposable
foodservice ware (foam)Key considerations:CostEnvironmentally
friendly Healthy choice for serving both hot and cold food to
students
High volume waste stream in the cafeteria is the food service
ware, especially trays, used to serve food to students. Envly
friendly: (generating the least amount of waste and minimal use of
energy and water)
More and more schools are expressing interest in moving away
from foam trays and have reached out to MassDEP to learn more. Last
year, my colleagues and I conducted an informal survey of FSDs in
MA schools to learn what they are currently using.
KM: MA Survey to > 400 School Foodservice Directors in Fall
2014 (with help from DESE)48 districts responded by Dec 2014. Of
those responding, 75 districts said they had a dish machine in at
least one school, and 31% use compostable FSware in at least one
school.
17
Are Foam Trays Healthy?Polystyrene foam is manufactured with a
monomer called Styrene.Styrene leaches out of foam containers into
food and beverages. EPA studies conducted in the 1980s showed that
100% of Americans have Styrene in their bodies.Most municipalities
in MA dispose of waste through incineration. EPA reports that stack
emissions from waste incineration contain Styrene. And because
plastic foam litter is lightweight and easily airborne, it is a
major source of ocean pollution, threatening birds and marine
mammals. Buying trays requires storage space. Disposing of foam
trays create lots of waste!
Styrene: reasonably considered to be carcinogen, according to
the federal government (Natl Toxicology Program, CDC, Dept of
Health and Human Svcs). But FOAM IS CHEAP- avg cost os 3-5 cents
per tray, but it is only in use for about 30 minutes before it is
disposed!18
We Can Do Better
NYC public schools are working to eliminate use of foam trays in
schools- start by showing how much waste is created every dayLight
weight but take up space
KM: Our survey respondents in MA indicated 75% of school
districts use foam trays in at least one of their schools.We can do
better.
19
Lessons learned from Hingham High SchoolEngage! Compete! Have
Fun! Have Food!
ENLIST YOUR SPORTS TEAMS
KM20
GREEN IS THE NEW REDSCHOOL SPIRIT
KM21
A COMPETITION FOR ALL SEASONS
KM22
BRAGGING RIGHTSON THE LINE
KM23
COVETED PRIZE FOR THE CHAMPIONS
KM24
Hingham HS - Teach-Inon America Recycles DayAll classes use the
environment as the focus that dayEnvironmental Science
FairEco-ArtGuest speaker and Films offered as option Work in the
garden, sift compost!
KM25
Hinghams Green Week
KM
After this slide, switch back to Carolyn26
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? - 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
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.
High Performing NEW Schoolsand Zero Waste (or darn
close)!How?Get Involved EARLY SBC, MSBA, architects, Who
else?Beware the Value EngineeringWatch the Back End DesignDesign
for Flexibility
CD: Now, we would like to ask for your help!We have seen many
new schools with unworkable recycling infrastructure. Some of our
colleagues have tried to help in the design phase and hit some
roadblocks. Maybe you can help guide us to the right places to
effect change. What weve learned so far is that we must get
involved early in the design, meet with architects, and maybe
others?Also, stay involved towards the end when the value
engineering happens and low priority items get cut out.If nothing
else, focus on the loading dock and dumpster arrangement.Keep in
mind to design for flexibility recycling is dynamic!
30
Common Problem #1- Loading Docks Making it Hard to RecycleNo way
to tip recycling carts into dumpsters, farther away than trash.
No ramps for wheeled cartsFences, enclosures blocking recycling
dumpsters
CD: Here are some examples of problems. No wonder many
custodians hate recycling.31
Common Problem #2- Cafeteria Recycling Centers
Dead end space Built in wrong placeWrong size for
barrelsEnclosed space,All doors look the same, Inflexible
arrangementNot moveable; Wrong location for student lunch
trafficWrong size for barrels
CD: Inside cafeterias there are also problems as shown
here.32
Need Flexible Recycling Stations
Good signs, well-positioned helps!Custodians like the wheeled
dollies~$350/3-part setup
Heres what has been suggested by custodians when weve asked what
they wanted.33
Common Problem #3 - No Place for Hallway Barrels
BAD: Recycling Barrels In HallwaysGOOD: Hallway Recycling w/o
Impeding TrafficIdeally, Trash Next to Recycling
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.34
Common Problem #4 Outside Storage for CartsNeed:Access to ground
levelSpace for storage inside and outside
CD: Need storage for carts outside as well
35
Common Problem #5: Justifying Washable Trays
Many new schools have dish machines now = BEST way to reduce
waste volume.Framingham retrofit three schools, NO added labor
cost, reduced trash 50%.Savings on trays: ~ $2000/year for 400
students400 foam trays/day for 180 days at $0.03 each =$2160 /yr
Vs. 400 reusable trays at $4.00/tray used 15 yrs= $106/yr
CD: 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
36
Common Problem#6: Purchasing: What Comes In Must Go OutKnow Your
Buy Recycled Policy
Consider Impact on Trash and Recycling for ALL ProductsTrays and
food service wareCopy paperPaper towels and tissueVending
machines
Work with DPW to Ensure Good Recycling Services
CD: Think about the big picture of the schools you serve and all
of the goods and services procured to keep everything working. Put
our values into practice.
Most towns in MA have procurement policies that Encourage
employees to BUY RECYCLED when an environmentally preferable
alternative is available and is cost effective.
WHEN MAKING PURCHASES, Consider which items create waste, which
items can be recycled or composted, or even better, which items
reduce waste in the first place.
Services: Does you school have collection services in place for
recyclables generated onsite? If you have trash collection, you
should also have collection of recyclables, at a minimum for
cardboard, paper, bottles & cans. Even if this service is not
in the school budget, and the town does collection for you, your
purchasing choices impact the whole system and the program cost for
managing discards. Effective contracts are structured in a way that
allows savings from reduced collection of trash when the school
reduces waste and recycles more. 37
Help is AvailableMassDEP Green Team www.TheGreenTeam.org
Recycling Works MA www.RecyclingWorksMA.com
MassDEP Sustainable Materials Recovery Program Grants
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/recycle/grants/smrp-grants.html
Helpers Are Available (Municipal Assistance Coordinators)
Western Mass: Arlene Miller- [email protected] Central Mass: Irene
Congdon- [email protected] 1: TBD
Southeast 2: Kathi Mirza - [email protected] 2:
Sharon Byrne Kishida- [email protected] 3: Carolyn
Dann- [email protected] Barnstable County: Dave Quinn-
[email protected] area: Brooke Nash-
[email protected]
Reflecting Our Values!The schools of the future should generate
more recycling and compostable material than trash.Maybe NO trash
at all!
Can you help us get there?
THANK YOU!
