Recycling at School
Westchester's recycling law requires schools, like any other business or institution, to meet recycling standards.
See our new School Recycling Presentation on our facebook page @WestchesterCountyDEF.
Recycling resources: labels, guides, audits, and other materials
When placed on containers such as a cardboard box, a plastic pail or a large hamper, labels can distinguish any container as a receptacle for recyclables. Make your bin labels, using our templates. Try laminating them for the best results. They are available for paper bins and commingled (glass, plastic and metal) bins.
Schools can also spread the word about recycling in Westchester by sending information home with students. The Curbside Recycling Guide, available in English and Spanish, provides all the do's and don'ts of recycling in the county.
Class trips
If you are planning a class trip, consider scheduling a free educational tour of the Westchester County Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Yonkers. Tours are fun, educational, free of charge and suitable for students of all ages.
A recently installed Recycled Material Art Gallery, features local artists’ pieces on recycling, conservation, and the environment. A range of mediums consisting of old materials upcycled to make new ones has a clear message: we are all in this together. Everyone in the County can and should recycle and the Materials Recovery Facility is a perfect place to go and see how the process is done! To request a tour, send an e-mail to
Competitions
Get your students to participate in the New York Recycles! poster contest. The contest is open to grades K through 12 of public and private schools throughout New York. Poster submission deadline is in May. Winners are selected from Westchester schools every year and it’s a perfect way for kids to express their thoughts and feelings on the importance of recycling through artwork.
Grants
Apply for the Green Schools Grant through the NYS Association for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling (NYSAR3) for funding toward school recycling and waste reduction programs. New York acknowledges the need for these programs throughout the state, and especially in our school systems. Applications for the next round of funding are due Oct. 2014.
Grants for environmental protection and improvement are available for municipalities, community organizations, not-for-profit organizations and others from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. If you would like to learn more information about grants, or would like to apply for one, please visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Web site.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education Model Grants Program provides funds to support environmental education projects that increase the public's awareness about environmental issues and provide them with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. For more information and to learn how to apply for the competitive Environmental Education grant, please visit the EPA’s Web site.
Activities
Does your school have papers to shred and recycle? Make an appointment to have Westchester’s Mobile Paper Shredder stop at your school. If you would like to schedule the Mobile Shredder for your school, e-mail