NEW YORK—Walk by three bins, drop your empty can in one, your paper bag in another, and trash in the third. So simple, even kids can do it. Right?
Despite recycling in schools being mandatory in New York City since 1989, a survey of school educators conducted by nonprofit NYC H20 uncovered confusion about all aspects of recycling in schools, from when to put the bags at the curb to who is in charge of recycling.
Not only are schools legally required to recycle, recycling containers must be placed near school entrances and in every classroom and cafeteria. Also, every school is required to appoint recycling coordinators. (Click for legislation)
Four out of 10 respondents to the NYC H20 survey said they were either unsure or didn’t think their school had a coordinator.
Although 77 percent of schools recycle in some form, based on the survey results, 23 percent didn’t know whether their schools recycle.
“There has been some good progress made, but there’s a lot of improvements that can still happen,” said Matthew Malina, founder of NYC H20, at a recycling forum last Thursday. A group of educators, recycling advocates, government officials, and youth gathered at Hunter College to lay out the recycling puzzle and put the pieces in the right place.
