Supports DCSD Strategic Goals

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals

Recycling and Composting Expansion

• Recycling expansion – Implement recycling across DCSD by equipping classrooms, media centers, public facing spaces, and exterior areas with recycling co-located with landfill.
• Expand pre-consumer cafeteria composting in district.
• Eliminate Styrofoam and implement compostable service ware packaging program across all DCSD cafeterias.
• Electronic Waste Management: Ensure responsible recycling and disposal of outdated electronics and technology equipment.
• Building Material & Metal Recycling: A centralized program that provides downstream recycling vendors to recycle unwanted building materials and metals to maximize landfill diversion.
• Districtwide Shredding Paper Recycling Programs: to reduce landfill-bound paper waste while securing chain of custody protocols for sensitive data.
• Deploy a centralized recycling program for batteries, bulbs, glass, printing toner tubes and cartridges, uniforms, and aerosol cans.

Waste Reduction and Reuse Programs

• Surplus Property repurposes furniture and equipment versus landfilling supporting reuse and repurposing efforts.
• Take-Back Recycling Programs: Work with vendors that offer product take-back, recycling, or closed-loop programs.
• Districtwide Hydration Stations: Plastic bottle free initiative that encourages reusable water bottles while reducing single-use plastic bottle consumption.
• District organizations align with DCSD Athletics single use plastic reduction pledge by providing their athletes with reuseable water bottles and bulk water.

Waste Education and Outreach

• Promote education and practices that encourage waste reduction, reuse, and responsible recycling across school campuses.
• DCSD partners with the CHaRM facility in DeKalb County for student and teacher field trips and other events to support recycling education and outreach in DeKalb schools. Live Thrive Atlanta operates the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) as part of its mission to promote zero waste and environmental education in the Atlanta area.
• Incorporate recycling education on Earth Day, America Recycles Day, and Green Week to continue promoting recycling, composting, waste reduction, and reuse programs within DCSD.