Berkeley schools are making a renewed commitment to recycling and composting after efforts slacked off over the past five years. This year, a local non-profit, Green Schools Initiative, has worked with eight Berkeley schools, revitalizing recycling and composting programs. Green Schools was just awarded a grant for next year, so it can work with another eight schools in the fall. According to Deborah Moore, executive director of Green Schools Initiative, recycling and composting are not only good for reducing landfill and greenhouse gases – they can also reduce the district’s spending. “The Berkeley school district has potential to be saving $50,000 a year out of about $350,000 spent on trash pickup,” Moore said. “In general, schools pay less money if they put out less trash, because recyclables have a dollar value,” said Mark Spencer, of StopWaste, the combined Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board. In addition to the Green Schools’ work, at its June 12 meeting the Berkeley school board approved a resolution to become a “priority partner” with Alameda County Waste Management. That will secure educational programs for students in exchange for the district’s commitment to recycle and compost 90% of what can […]
Berkeley schools are making a renewed commitment to recycling and composting after efforts slacked off over the past five years. This year, a local non-profit, Green Schools Initiative, has worked with eight Berkeley schools, revitalizing recycling and composting programs. Green Schools was just awarded a grant for next year, so it can work with another eight schools in the fall. According to Deborah Moore, executive director of Green Schools Initiative, recycling and composting are not only good for reducing landfill and greenhouse gases – they can also reduce the district’s spending. “The Berkeley school district has potential to be saving $50,000 a year out of about $350,000 spent on trash pickup,” Moore said. “In general, schools pay less money if they put out less trash, because recyclables have a dollar value,” said Mark Spencer, of StopWaste, the combined Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board. In addition to the Green Schools’ work, at its June 12 meeting the Berkeley school board approved a resolution to become a “priority partner” with Alameda County Waste Management. That will secure educational programs for students in exchange for the district’s commitment to recycle and compost 90% of what can […]