Resource Conservation Management Program

Reduce Reuse Recycle

1.  Rethink - only buy and use what you really need
2.  Donate or Buy Used Goods - Reuse
3.  Make Less Waste - Reduce
4.  Recycle

For every occasion consider a gift of an experience - see lovely printable certificates at: City of Olympia's Waste ReSources

Compost Sort Line Sign

Use this sign for your compost sort line. Download and print.

Commingled and Mixed Waste Paper Recycling

Recycling bins at school are different from those at home.

At school please sort into four main catagories:

1. Commingled which means plastic bottles and aluminum cans plus milk cartons if you do not have a composting program. A few programs also include dairy tubs, including rinsed yogart containers.

2. Mixed paper.

3. Cardboard - please flatten.

4. Food and paper for composting - all types of food plus milk cartons and paper napkins and paper scraps from lunch.

 Click on the following links to learn more about Commingled Recycling and Mixed Paper Recycling guidelines.

Links

• 2good2toss -  Sell buy or give away your items - $200 or less
• Craigslist - Sell buy or give away your items with no price limits
• Electronics Recycling - E-Cycle Department of Ecology sanctioned places that properly dispose of hazardous waste
• Freecycle - Give away or get items in Olympia
• Habitat for Humanity - Restore - Donate or buy used building materials in South Puget Sound
• Paper Plastics and More is a recycling guide for students from Connecticut Plastics. This resource was recommended by students from Ms McKnight's class in Delaware
• Recycling Locations - Ecology-maintained site
• Sustainability Guide - Ecology's Guide (pdf format)
• Timberline Library - Borrow books, movies and music
• Unwanted Mail - How to avoid or halt unwanted mail
• Waste free lunches flyer - from Washington Green Schools

Recycling

Schools must pay to recycle, although the fees are lower then disposal costs. It is very important to keep contaminants out because recycled boxes that contain contaminants end up as garbage. We can no longer recycle glass containers so please take these home to recycle. Some schools offer a food and paper composting option, but all strive for waste-free lunches.

Top 10 Waste Reducing Tips:

1. Use a reusable lunch box or bag.
2. Buy reusable containers for sandwiches and snacks. 
3. Choose clothing styles you can live with a long time. 
4. Buy recycled paper and write on both sides. 
5. Make book covers from recycled materials such as  brown paper bags, used wrapping paper or cloth.  
6. Donate used clothes, books, toys and back packs for the next child. 
7. If your school has a food waste program, use it, otherwise encourage your administration to start a program.
8. Use the library to borrow books instead of buying new.
9. Use a reusable drink container for your drinks. 
10. Buy in bulk and avoid individually prepackaged items.