Schools are among the largest producers of waste, which makes it imperative for them to recycle. Students, teachers, and the administration must work together to make it part of daily life. Below are a few things you can do to encourage students to recycle and make it easy when it's time for recycling pickup.

4 Ways to Make Recycling Easier for Students

1. Highlight Its Importance

First, educate your students about the importance of recycling. They should learn that recycling is an effective way to keep trash from polluting the environment. Teach them that materials such as paper, metal, glass, plastic, and electronics are recyclable, and that recycling pickup services take these away for processing. For biodegradable items like food waste, encourage composting.

2. Make Recycling Programs Fun

Younger students may have little understanding of recycling’s importance, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get involved. Look for easy-to-understand resources, such as books and educational videos, on recycling, sustainability, and pollution. Make it fun for kids to learn about recycling without boring them with facts and figures. 

For older students, encourage them to think of programs that will help with recycling so they’ll have a better sense of responsibility. For creative answers, ask them for possible solutions through contests and round-table discussions. 

3. Take a Visual Approach

Many people are naturally visual, which is why images may be easiest to get the message across. Put more graphics on recycling posters and signs so that your students know where to put different items. Sometimes, bins include actual photos of the items to avoid confusion. Performing an occasional waste audit in every classroom lets students participate and gives them a better understanding of how to recycle. If you have a recycling pickup scheduled that day, let them observe what happens.

4. Lead by Example

If you want students to be more proactive with recycling, show them how it’s done first. Reduce paper use by encouraging paperless transactions and routing school memos electronically. Make the most out of every paper by printing on both sides, then recycle what’s left of it. Use refillable bottles, reusable containers and utensils, and rechargeable batteries to keep disposable waste to a minimum.  

When it’s time for recycling pickup, call Maui Disposal in Wailuku, HI. As the leading waste management company in Maui, they’ve provided garbage collection and trash removal services throughout the island for over five decades. Call (808) 242-7999 to schedule a pickup today or learn more about their four recycling facilities online.