Terra Cycle to Stronger Use in Cafeteria

By:

For years, our campus has used Terra Cycle to send waste that currently are not recyclable through the City of Austin Resource Recovery team.  We have used a smaller scale recycling center to collect these wastes.  This year, with the recommendation of the cafeteria team, we have implemented larger scale recycling bins due to the volume of specific wastes being collected.

The cafeteria now collects the following in large quantities:

• Drink Pouches (19,111 pouches have been collected to date)
• Squeeze Food Pouches (3096 pouches have been collected to date)
• Foil-Lined Energy Bar Wrappers (30,125 units have been collected to date up from roughly 6,000 before larger containers)
• and Foil-Lined Snack Wrappers

Results:  

• Increased shipments to Terra Cycle, every 2 weeks a shipment is sent.  
• 66,000 points have been earned with Terra Cycle.  This increase is up from 21,000 points at the beginning of the change.
• Ability to Purchase Terra Cycle Recycled and Upcycled Products to outfit Steam Lab.
• 41,044 points redeemed with Terra Cycle for purchase of these products.
• Purchase of a year of fresh water to 20 people!!

Previous Recycle Center

New cafeteria Recycle Center

Email report to parents, teachers, students, and staff of progress made this year alone!

Laura Sykes Sat 5/28/16, 2:20 pm 
BW Elementary / BW Elementary Staff moreBWE Recycling Program recycles over 200% more waste this year!

Parents, Teachers, Students, and Staff,

This year recycling efforts through the Go Green & Building and Grounds PTA Committees, as well as the support from our parents, teachers, students and cafeteria staff, have made a very large impact.

In 2010, Bryker Woods Elementary School began recycling products not accepted in its large commercial TDS container. TerraCycle accepts these wastes which include drink pouches, squeezable food pouches, foil-lined energy and snack bag wrappers, as well as writing instruments including all markers, mechanical pencils, and pens.

From 2010-2015, BWE recycled over 21,000 points worth of waste which generated roughly $210 back to the school over a 5 year period. For the 2015-2016 school year, I am proud to announce that over 45,000 points worth of waste has been generated, providing over $450 back to the school this year alone!

In efforts to help outfit our STEAM lab and support our teachers, the below materials have been purchase with our points through Dwell Smart/TerraCycle!

Please check out the lab for the following 80+ Up-Cycled products purchased this year:

3 Upcycled Cork Boards, 15 Chep Board Binders, 20 5 - Tab Eco-Chep Binders, 20 All-Purpose Terra Cycle Storage Bins, 10 Circuit Clipboards, 1 Drink Pouch Backpack, 1 Drink Pouch Messenger Bag, 3 Painted Urban Art Pots, 3 Window Box Planters, 4 Recycled Pots & Saucers, 2 Hanging Planters, 2 COIR Pots

Visit www.dwellsmart.com and www.terracycle.com for more information.

Teachers and Parents: Currently we are at 214% higher than past years. Together, let's reach 250% in recycled materials! During the last 3 days of school, please use the designated "Writing Instruments" bins when gathering and disposing of end of year markers (sharpies, highlighters, markers), pens, and mechanical pencils.

Thanks again!!

PTA Go Green and Building and Grounds