Zero Waste

BPS strives to reduce the amount of waste generated by building occupants and reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste that is hauled to and disposed of in landfills or incineration facilities.

BPS is committed to Zero Waste because:

1. Recycling is BPS district policy and Massachusetts state law. Review the Boston Public Schools Recycling and Zero Waste Policy.

2. Recycling is free for BPS, while trash is an operational cost for BPS. School recycling is picked up curbside for free by Boston Public Works Department as part of the PWD Residential Recycling program. School trash is picked up at a cost by Jet-A-Way as part of the BPS hauling contract. Increasing recycling while reducing trash decreases BPS operating costs, funds which could otherwise be directed to teaching and learning.

3. School zero waste programs mitigate clutter. Clutter attracts pests, creates asthma triggers like dust, and takes up valuable school space that could otherwise be used for teaching, learning, and organized storage.

4. School zero waste programs create hands-on learning and engagement opportunities for students and staff. A successful zero waste program incorporates education and collaboration.

5. The principles of zero waste – redesign/rethink, reduce, repurpose, replace, reuse, recycle – teach us responsibility for our school and our waste, and engages us in the three E’s of sustainability: Equity, Environment, and Economy.

Get Started with the BPS Zero Waste Guide, Equipment Order Form, and Signage

TAKE ACTION

SCHOOL ZERO WASTE COORDINATOR
ZERO WASTE EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT
Education is key to a successful school zero waste program. The following are some suggested steps to educating your school:
1. Review and share the BPS Zero Waste Guide.
2. Fill out, share, and post in the main office Your School Zero Waste Profile.
3. Share and post the BPS Recycling and Trash Signage.
4. Invite the BPS Zero Waste & Sustainability Project Manager to your school to do a school recycling presentation. Contact Virginia Leary at vleary@bostonpublicschools.org.
5. Teach and learn about recycling using the Recycling Education Resource List.
6. Form a student recycling team that helps with peer education in classrooms and the food service area(s).
7. Use the In-Person and Virtual Field Trips & Presentations List from MassDEP’s THE GREEN TEAM.
RECYCLING

Single-stream Recycling
Single-stream recycling is what goes into your blue bins. Most plastic, paper, and aluminum products can be recycled and picked up curbside by the Public Works Department. Learn more about what can and cannot be accepted. Use the BPS Recycling Signage to post throughout your school.

Question about a particular item? Visit the City of Boston Trash and Recycling Directory, download the Trash & Recycling app, or visit the state’s RecycleSmartMA.org and use the Recyclopedia tool.

Please note that as of June 2019, milk cartons are no longer recyclable in BPS/City of Boston.

Was your curb-side recycling not picked up? Call City of Boston 311 or report through the 311 App. PWD will be notified immediately of your missed pick-up. Indicate your school, your address, and the issue you had with a missed pick-up.

Cardboard Recycling
All corrugated cardboard must be separated from the single-stream recycling, flattened, and stacked in the provided hampers for collection. Cardboard is regularly collected by BPS Recycling Staff, separately from PWD’s curbside single-stream pick-up. Contact Conroy Oates, 617-828-0712, if your school needs an additional cardboard pickup or there were issues with the collection.

Metal Recycling
Contact Rob Geary, rgeary@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-763-1030, to recycle metal furniture or scrap items.

Yard Waste
Prior to accumulating yard waste, contact Sean Byrne, sbyrne@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-293-3883 to schedule a pick-up. All schoolyard waste must be bagged in compostable brown bags or in plastic barrels. All branches need to be cut into small pieces and bundled.

Dumpsters
Contact Rob Geary, rgeary@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-763-1030, if you have questions or concerns related to the trash and recycling dumpsters at your school.
RECYCLING EQUIPMENT

If your school needs recycling equipment (classroom bins, common area barrels, or curbside carts), please complete and submit the BPS Zero Waste Equipment Order form in partnership with the Senior Custodian. BPS Recycling staff will deliver the equipment.

Schools are highly encouraged to register for free with The GREEN TEAM, sponsored by MassDEP. GREEN TEAM schools can submit recycling equipment requests and receive free equipment from MassDEP.
FOOD WASTE
Food waste is estimated to account for more than 35% of the total waste exiting the 119 Boston Public Schools. Diverting food waste for composting is necessary for reducing trash to create a healthier and sustainable BPS, aligned with the Green New Deal for BPS, and to comply with the City of Boston’s Zero Waste Plan, the BPS Zero Waste and Recycling Policy, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commercial Organic Materials Waste Ban.

In November 2022, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) lowered their Organics Waste Ban threshold for facilities generating more than ½ ton of food waste per week. This lowered threshold applies to several BPS schools. In anticipation of the stricter food waste threshold and in commitment to zero waste, the BPS Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program partnered with the City of Boston Environment Department on an RFP to pilot food waste collection services at 10 BPS schools, signing a contract with Black Earth Compost, who will haul away the food waste for composting. BPS Facilities Management also hired the district’s first Zero Waste and Sustainability Project Manager, Virginia Leary, in August 2022, to join the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program and research, plan, and manage the rollout of the food waste collective services at the schools.

The goals of the BPS Food Waste Collection Program are to:
- Separate and divert food waste for composting, reducing trash.
- Comply with existing state regulations and policies.
- Structure the program as an experiential teaching and learning tool, and a leadership and volunteer opportunity for students.
- Quantify food diversion and trash reduction at each school.
- Identify best practices for students, kitchen staff, and custodians for food waste separation and coordination for collection, which can be used when introducing food waste collection at additional schools.
FAQ about the BPS Food Waste Collection Program:
- How often does the food waste get picked up?
  - Food Waste Totes are collected from the hauler on a once or twice weekly basis.
- I’m concerned about pests and smells. How can we make sure this doesn’t attract more pests?
  - Food is a common waste item in schools. We are not adding a new waste stream, simply putting it in a different container. These containers are designed to hold food waste. Instead of food being in easily accessible plastic bags, the food is contained in a tote designed for food waste, with a lid. We don’t anticipate and have not seen an increase in pests or smells.
- What is accepted in the compost bins?
  - All Food
  - Meats & Bones
  - Dairy Products
  - Seafood & Shells
  - Pizza Boxes (BPI Certified only)
  - Coffee grounds, filters, tea, and tea bags
  - Napkins
  - Certified Compostable products.
- What is not allowed in the compost bins?
  - Any and all plastic including: Utensils, Cups, Produce Stickers, Ketchup Packets, Food Wrappers
  - Milk Cartons
  - Recyclable Items: Bottles, Cans
  - Paper
  - Lunch Trays (Black Earth Compost only accepts trays that are certified compostable. BPS will continue to search for a suitable tray that meets these requirements.)
- Who picks up our food waste?
  - BPS entered into a contract with Black Earth Compost.
- Where does the food waste go?
  - Food waste collected from the schools is sent to composting facilities in Framingham, Groton, and Manchester-by-the-sea. Black Earth Compost uses Aerated Static Pile Composting Method at their facilities.
- Can the schools get the compost back and use in the gardens?
  - Yes! Please contact Virginia Leary, vleary@bostonpublicschools.org, if you would like to use Black Earth Compost’s compost in your gardens.
- I’d love to start composting in my school cafeteria! How can I get this started at my school?
  - We’re so excited you are interested in composting! Please contact Virginia Leary, vleary@bostonpublicschools.org, with your interest.
CLUTTER, REPURPOSE, and REUSE
Does your school have a clutter challenge?

Consider launching a decluttering effort at your school. Use the BPS Declutter and Green Out Guide to assist your efforts.

Decluttering Benefits:
- Decrease in pest incidents
- Decrease in asthma triggers such as dust
- Improved air quality
- Increase in available school space for academics, enrichment, and organized storage
- Improved access for daily custodial work
- Improved cleanliness and “look” of the school for school community and visitors
Reuse: School Supplies
Consider setting-up a reuse station in your school or contact Virginia Leary at vleary@bostonpublicschools.org, if your school has unwanted school supplies that can be reused, redistributed, or donated.

Books and Curriculum
Please contact the BPS Office of Academics & Professional Learning if you have unwanted books or curriculum.

Did you know a number of our schools have More Than Words donation boxes for books/DVDs/CDs/games? Boxes are currently located at the Edison and Boston Community Leadership Academy/New Mission High School. If your school is interested in a More Than Words box, please contact BPS Zero Waste & Sustainability Project Manager Virginia Leary at vleary@bostonpublicschools.org or 857-693-0341. Learn more about More Than Words from this Boston Globe article.

Furniture
All furniture waste must be reviewed by BPS Facilities Management for reuse, redistribution, or proper disposal. Contact Richelle Singh-Williams, rsingh@bostonpublicschools.org or (617) 635-9648, to schedule a furniture review.
CLOTHING and TEXTILES
Did you know that 95% of worn and torn textiles can be recycled, but 85% ends up in landfills instead?

The Bay State Textiles School Box Program and City of Boston + Helpsy Box Program address this gap by:
1. Creating awareness about the issue of textiles waste;
2. Providing education on acceptable items for textile recycling;
3. Generating revenue for the school.
How does it work? A donation box is placed on school property, the box is serviced weekly by Bay State Textiles or Helpsy, and a rebate check, based on the weight of donations, is disbursed monthly to the school. On average, each school receives $500 per year for participating in textile waste collection. In addition to generating revenue for the school, the school box program provides a unique and engaging student learning opportunity on issues such as recycling and reuse, economics, marketing, and community service. Boston Public Schools has collected 280,000 pounds and generated over $17,000.

Where can I find these boxes? Please use this map to identify a location with a Helpsy or Bay State Textiles box.

Doe your school want to host a box? BPS seeks to expand its textiles box locations. If your school is interested in having a Helpsy container on school property, complete this form.
ELECTRONIC WASTE
UNIVERSAL & HAZARDOUS WASTE

All hazardous waste and universal waste (lamps, batteries, mercury-containing devices, and pesticides) must be labeled according to the type of waste, must be labeled with the date of generation, and must be stored in the school’s accumulation location. Contact Chief Environmental Technician Maria Carvalho, mcarvalho@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-635-8300, to schedule a pick-up.

DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

From 2017 to present, BPS Sustainability distributed new recycling equipment to BPS schools: 2017-2019: 211 curbside 95-gallon recycling carts, 228 32-gallon recycling barrels, and 4,154 classroom recycling 28-quart bins. 2019-2020: 129 carts, 105 barrels, 1043 bins. 2020 to 2021, even with the shift to remote learning: 35 carts, 47 barrels, 119 bins. From 2022 to date: BPS 34 carts, 39 barrels, 651 bins.
BPS schools put outside an estimated 820 95-96 gal recycling carts per week to be serviced by City of Boston PWD.
Hurley K-2 Teacher Jen Mohr worked with Hurley K-2 and 4th grade students and teachers to put together a “Hurley Saves the Earth” bilingual video. Ms. Mohr and the students also led an environmentally-themed assembly, created a Hurley Green Team Newsletter, and engaged in a reducing plastic waste challenge.
The leadership efforts of the Channing Elementary School Recycling Club were recognized with an opportunity to star in the new City of Boston Zero Waste video.
Sumner Elementary School kicked off the academic year with a whole school Recycling Assembly led by Recycling Teacher Leaders Anne DeVita and Ruben Carrizosa and the Student Recycling Team. Thanks to the educational outreach and the students’ leadership, the Sumner is recycling an average of 20 96-gallon carts worth of materials weekly.
Brighton High School’s Recycling Program enables students with moderate disabilities that are on a non-diploma track to learn leadership, organizational, and communication, and vocational skills for post secondary life. It helps them become more independent members of society and allows them to be part of the broader community of the school. The team regularly works with BHS staff and students to ensure that all recyclable materials are placed in the proper receptacles and encourage students and staff to reduce paper waste throughout the school year. The Recycling Program has reduced Brighton High’s paper waste (worksheets, projects, etc) by 39% since starting 3 years ago.
BPS Facilities Management installed 40 new hand dryers in student bathrooms across 10 schools, branded with the BPS logo and sustainability facts related to waste and energy. Hand dryers are also the BPS green design standard for new school building construction and major bathroom renovations, like Dearborn STEM Academy, Boston Arts Academy, and Josiah Quincy Upper School.
In preparation for the 2019-2020 academic year, more than 150 BPS teachers visited Re-Stream to pick-up free school supplies that were collected by Re-Stream during their customer move-outs, supplies that otherwise would have gone to the landfill, saving each teacher an average of $100-200 of avoided costs.
In August 2022, BPS hired its first ever Zero Waste & Sustainability Project Manager, Virginia Leary, to join the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program.
BPS is piloting a food waste-to-compost collection program. Four schools were already launched in SY22-23, with 11 additional schools planned for SY23-24. The program includes engagement and education opportunities with students and teachers, such as waste audits, compost making, and leadership/champion roles. BPS plans to use the compost in its school gardens.
- On January 30, 2023, food waste collection services were successfully launched at Boston Green Academy (BGA), in alignment with the school’s mission and curriculum, and in partnership with the BGA school community. Several student volunteers – “Compost Champions” – along with staff from BPS Facilities Management and Food & Nutrition Services showed up in support of the new program, engaging with students on the new process for sorting their waste and diverting food from the trash.
- Following the launch at BGA, food waste collection services were launched at Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, and John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, in collaboration with student leaders from BLS YouthCAN, BLS Recycling Club, BLA Science classes, and the O’Bryant Recycling & Environmentalism Club.