Oregon Green Schools - Waste Audits

What's in your Garbage? Conducting school waste audits

The Oregon Green School application requires that you evaluate your school’s waste as part of your planning process. If you know what is being thrown out, and from where, you can make a plan for reducing and recycling. Contact your local Green Schools Coordinator for assistance.

Conduct a Waste Audit
separate the garbage into categories (paper, glass, food waste, etc.) and measure the volume and weight of each type of item. This is the best way to know what’s in your school garbage. Think of it as a great hands-on math lesson. Follow the steps in the “What’s in Your Waste” guide. Download the following materials to help you get started:

“What’s in Your Waste?” – guide to conducting a waste audit
Waste audit signs for sorting
Waste audit form to record your findings
“Talking Trash” follow-up activities

How do you “weigh in” compared to the average school waste stream?

Recyclable paper – 28% Garden materials – 3%

Food waste – 24% Recyclable plastics – 1%

Milk cartons – 4% Hazardous waste – 1%

Recyclable metal – 3% Polystyrene – <1%

Recyclable glass – 3% All other wastes – 32%

(EPA 1993 Education Waste characterization Study)

Handy Conversions

	1 cubic yard of:	(average)
	uncompacted but flattened cardboard =	100 lbs.
	office paper =	600 lbs.
	aluminum cans =	65 lbs.
	mixed plastic bottles =	32 lbs.
	glass bottles and jars =	600 lbs.
	food waste =	850 lbs.
	1 Kilogram =	2.205 pounds
	1 cubic yard =	27 cubic feet

Helpful website for conversions: www.convert-me.com