Recycling Survey Results Show Schools Need More Help
Despite recycling requirements, many NYC schools are unsure of their schools’ actions
November 29, 2011
By Matt Malina and Kimberly Worsham
New York, NY – New York City-focused education and advocacy nonprofit NYC H2O conducted an online survey of recycling in NYC public schools. The anonymous educator survey collected data from 228 schools throughout all five boroughs.
Based on the results from the survey, over 3 out of every 4 NYC schools participate in some form of recycling, at 77%. While this is promising, all education facilities are obliged to be active in recycling. 23% of respondents either felt their school didn’t engage in recycling practices or were not sure. The lack of clarity in educators about whether their school recycles or not is alarming. NYC Local Law 19 has mandated obligatory recycling throughout the city since 1989.
November 29, 2011
By Matt Malina and Kimberly Worsham
New York, NY – New York City-focused education and advocacy nonprofit NYC H2O conducted an online survey of recycling in NYC public schools. The anonymous educator survey collected data from 228 schools throughout all five boroughs.
Based on the results from the survey, over 3 out of every 4 NYC schools participate in some form of recycling, at 77%. While this is promising, all education facilities are obliged to be active in recycling. 23% of respondents either felt their school didn’t engage in recycling practices or were not sure. The lack of clarity in educators about whether their school recycles or not is alarming. NYC Local Law 19 has mandated obligatory recycling throughout the city since 1989.
According to the Department of Sanitation, the overall recycling rate for NYC is about 15%. "An effective way to improve recycling in the city over the long term is to teach young people good recycling habits. Young children love simple tasks and so are perfect candidates to be shown how to separate recyclables," says Matt Malina, an educator with NYC H2O.
One reason for the uncertainty among participants about whether their schools recycled is, in part, disconnect between collection and disposal. About 20% of responding educators mentioned witnessing custodial staff throwing out collected recyclables with the regular trash. This has presumably led many educators to feel participating in recycling efforts would be futile.
"My school has a recycling coordinator and blue bins for recycling. Unfortunately, no matter how much the teachers organize, all bins are always emptied into the same place. This was also the case at the last school I worked at, and (from what I hear) many other schools," commented a teacher from Brooklyn. The concern of thwarted recycling efforts was expressed by many responding teachers throughout all boroughs.
Additionally, although the DOE assigns a recycling coordinator to every school within the system, 40% of respondents either were unsure or did not feel that their schools had one. "NYC Local Law 36 of 2010 requires city agencies including public schools to designate recycling coordinators,” said Mr. Malina. “It is alarming that 40% of respondents were not aware if their school had one."
The survey was conducted anonymously to encourage participants to speak freely. Based on the results of the survey, NYC H2O is working with local experts and educators to make appropriate recommendations for improving recycling in schools.
For more information about the survey contact Matt Malina.
One reason for the uncertainty among participants about whether their schools recycled is, in part, disconnect between collection and disposal. About 20% of responding educators mentioned witnessing custodial staff throwing out collected recyclables with the regular trash. This has presumably led many educators to feel participating in recycling efforts would be futile.
"My school has a recycling coordinator and blue bins for recycling. Unfortunately, no matter how much the teachers organize, all bins are always emptied into the same place. This was also the case at the last school I worked at, and (from what I hear) many other schools," commented a teacher from Brooklyn. The concern of thwarted recycling efforts was expressed by many responding teachers throughout all boroughs.
Additionally, although the DOE assigns a recycling coordinator to every school within the system, 40% of respondents either were unsure or did not feel that their schools had one. "NYC Local Law 36 of 2010 requires city agencies including public schools to designate recycling coordinators,” said Mr. Malina. “It is alarming that 40% of respondents were not aware if their school had one."
The survey was conducted anonymously to encourage participants to speak freely. Based on the results of the survey, NYC H2O is working with local experts and educators to make appropriate recommendations for improving recycling in schools.
For more information about the survey contact Matt Malina.