Solid Waste Reducation
School-Wide Recycling Efforts
Over the past few years we have focused our efforts on increasing our recycling efforts though various methods. We have partnered with TerraCycle to upcycle pens, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, glue sticks, e-waste, toner cartridges, and drink pouches. Teams of fourth and fifth graders collect paper recyclables semi-weekly from bins located in each homeroom class and throughout our school. Our fifth graders began a plasticware recycling program in our cafeteria in March, 2013. Our pre-K through fifth grade students now recycle used milk cartons and plasticware each and every day thanks to this new green initiative. Our staff collects plastics, paper, and aluminum cans daily. This year we are focusing on institutionalizing recycling at Longfellow for years to come by equipping our school with the necessary resources to collect these recyclables and "upcycle-able" materials. We have partnered with our local Howard County DPW to receive 12 large Recycling Bins to collect recycling in common areas. We partnered with Home Depot for 56 classroom recycling bins to account for all classrooms and offices throughout our school. Finally, we partnered with Clark's ACE Hardware for a recycling tote for our Recycling Team to collect paper from each classroom and office theoughout the school.
Over the past few years we have focused our efforts on increasing our recycling efforts though various methods. We have partnered with TerraCycle to upcycle pens, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, glue sticks, e-waste, toner cartridges, and drink pouches. Teams of fourth and fifth graders collect paper recyclables semi-weekly from bins located in each homeroom class and throughout our school. Our fifth graders began a plasticware recycling program in our cafeteria in March, 2013. Our pre-K through fifth grade students now recycle used milk cartons and plasticware each and every day thanks to this new green initiative. Our staff collects plastics, paper, and aluminum cans daily. This year we are focusing on institutionalizing recycling at Longfellow for years to come by equipping our school with the necessary resources to collect these recyclables and "upcycle-able" materials. We have partnered with our local Howard County DPW to receive 12 large Recycling Bins to collect recycling in common areas. We partnered with Home Depot for 56 classroom recycling bins to account for all classrooms and offices throughout our school. Finally, we partnered with Clark's ACE Hardware for a recycling tote for our Recycling Team to collect paper from each classroom and office theoughout the school.
Sculpture Recycled Garden
Thanks to the generosity of our PTA and the Howard County Arts Council, our 3rd graders have been worked with a professional visual artist throughout the month of November 2015 to create outdoor sculptures of recycled materials that interact with the weather, especially wind & rain.
We reached out to our community to collect donations of objects to be used in the recycled sculpture construction that will hold up outdoors over the years to come. Some items collected were wire, copper or PVC piping, cement board, copper or brass items, treated lumber, hard plastic or rubber objects such as inner tubes or pond liner, chicken wire, bicycles, hub caps, silverware, beach glass, glass nuggets, bird cages, metal trivets, metal coat hangers, metal rods & racks, old keys and tile.
Parent Volunteers and staff members assisted our visiting artist working with our 3rd graders to create the outdoor sculptures. Parents helped assemble the sculptures, assisted with materials, directly assisted students, and helped in many other ways.
Thanks to the generosity of our PTA and the Howard County Arts Council, our 3rd graders have been worked with a professional visual artist throughout the month of November 2015 to create outdoor sculptures of recycled materials that interact with the weather, especially wind & rain.
We reached out to our community to collect donations of objects to be used in the recycled sculpture construction that will hold up outdoors over the years to come. Some items collected were wire, copper or PVC piping, cement board, copper or brass items, treated lumber, hard plastic or rubber objects such as inner tubes or pond liner, chicken wire, bicycles, hub caps, silverware, beach glass, glass nuggets, bird cages, metal trivets, metal coat hangers, metal rods & racks, old keys and tile.
Parent Volunteers and staff members assisted our visiting artist working with our 3rd graders to create the outdoor sculptures. Parents helped assemble the sculptures, assisted with materials, directly assisted students, and helped in many other ways.
America Recycles Day Celebration
Sunday, November 15, is America Recycles Day. Our school celebrated by focusing on recycling efforts throughout the school, shared best practice recycling video clips during homeroom on Tuesday, November 17, and provided students Eagle Wings when recycling at lunch. Coloring pages, differentiated activities and resource links were also shared with staff. The 5th grade Green Team Members began each day throughout the week with green announcements.
http://recycleguys.org/lessonplans.html
Sunday, November 15, is America Recycles Day. Our school celebrated by focusing on recycling efforts throughout the school, shared best practice recycling video clips during homeroom on Tuesday, November 17, and provided students Eagle Wings when recycling at lunch. Coloring pages, differentiated activities and resource links were also shared with staff. The 5th grade Green Team Members began each day throughout the week with green announcements.
http://recycleguys.org/lessonplans.html
Bottle Fish
Staff and students recycled used water bottles to create bottle fish. Each .Students then held the neck of the bottle as they painted the inside. Stickers were used to create eyes on the fish. When the paint dried, students shaped and then stapled the large end of the bottle into the fish tail.
Staff and students recycled used water bottles to create bottle fish. Each .Students then held the neck of the bottle as they painted the inside. Stickers were used to create eyes on the fish. When the paint dried, students shaped and then stapled the large end of the bottle into the fish tail.
TerraCycle Recycling Partnership
This year Longfellow has partnered with TerraCycle to help reduce our solid waste here at school and at home. TerraCycle offers national programs (Brigades®) to collect previously non-recyclable or hard to recycle waste and a donation for each piece of garbage that we collect and recycle. This year we began recycling writing instruments & glue sticks in our classrooms, juice pouches in the cafeteria, and miscellaneous e-waste and ink and toner cartridges from our community.
This year Longfellow has partnered with TerraCycle to help reduce our solid waste here at school and at home. TerraCycle offers national programs (Brigades®) to collect previously non-recyclable or hard to recycle waste and a donation for each piece of garbage that we collect and recycle. This year we began recycling writing instruments & glue sticks in our classrooms, juice pouches in the cafeteria, and miscellaneous e-waste and ink and toner cartridges from our community.
Recycling Spotlight
Outside of our cafeteria doors our Longfellow Eagles see a Recycling Spotlight to remind our students to recycle and work towards a Zero Waste lunch. Pictured is the bulletin board highlighting what can and can not be recycled leading up to our Earth Day recycling assemblies.
Outside of our cafeteria doors our Longfellow Eagles see a Recycling Spotlight to remind our students to recycle and work towards a Zero Waste lunch. Pictured is the bulletin board highlighting what can and can not be recycled leading up to our Earth Day recycling assemblies.
Cafeteria Recycling Awareness Day
On Earth Day, Alicia Moore, Howard County Environmental Services Recycling Coordinator, presented Recycling Awareness presentations to our primary and intermediate students. Then she stayed to teach our students what exactly can be recycled in our cafeteria and how to use reusable containers for our students who bring their lunch. This information was then put in to action the next day to facilitate our first Waste-Free Wednesday at Longfellow.
On Earth Day, Alicia Moore, Howard County Environmental Services Recycling Coordinator, presented Recycling Awareness presentations to our primary and intermediate students. Then she stayed to teach our students what exactly can be recycled in our cafeteria and how to use reusable containers for our students who bring their lunch. This information was then put in to action the next day to facilitate our first Waste-Free Wednesday at Longfellow.
Kinetic Sculpture Race
Our fourth graders collected and then re-used and re-invented recyclable materials such as jugs, cartons, bottles, corks, and various plastic items for Longfellow's Kinetic Sculpture Race. Not only did the Kinetic Sculptures have to travel over land, but they had to float when their vehicles raced through the "water hazard" portion of the course.
Our fourth graders collected and then re-used and re-invented recyclable materials such as jugs, cartons, bottles, corks, and various plastic items for Longfellow's Kinetic Sculpture Race. Not only did the Kinetic Sculptures have to travel over land, but they had to float when their vehicles raced through the "water hazard" portion of the course.
Recycling Awareness Assemblies
On Earth Day. Alicia Moore, Howard County Environmental Services Recycling Coordinator, presented Recycling Awareness presentations to our primary and intermediate students. Ms. Moore taught our students about recycling, recycling efforts in Howard County, and what our students can do to help our environment during their school day and at home.
On Earth Day. Alicia Moore, Howard County Environmental Services Recycling Coordinator, presented Recycling Awareness presentations to our primary and intermediate students. Ms. Moore taught our students about recycling, recycling efforts in Howard County, and what our students can do to help our environment during their school day and at home.
Zero Waste Wednesday
As part of our Green Week Celebration, our Longfellow Learning Community facilitated our first ever Zero Waste Wednesday. On Earth Day we learned how to minimize our waste through recycling and the use of reusable containers and put our learning in to action by turning over trash cans throughout our school and minimizing waste in the cafeteria by using reusable containers and by using our new knowledge about what can be recycled in the cafeteria.
Lunchroom waste (e.g., food and food packaging) is a large component of Longfellow's waste stream. By implementing a zero-waste lunch, students, parents/caregivers, and teachers can work together to prepare lunches that reduce the amount of trash being thrown away. These efforts can also save parents/caregivers money in the long run. In fact, according to the U.S. EPA, packing a waste-free lunch saves an average student $250 and 67 pounds of trash per nine-month school year.
Longfellow Eagles can pack a zero-waste lunch by following these tips:
Download a Waste Free Poster @
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/pdfs/lunch.pdf
Download a Waste Free Lunch Weekly Menu @
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/pdfs/wfl-pack.pdf
As part of our Green Week Celebration, our Longfellow Learning Community facilitated our first ever Zero Waste Wednesday. On Earth Day we learned how to minimize our waste through recycling and the use of reusable containers and put our learning in to action by turning over trash cans throughout our school and minimizing waste in the cafeteria by using reusable containers and by using our new knowledge about what can be recycled in the cafeteria.
Lunchroom waste (e.g., food and food packaging) is a large component of Longfellow's waste stream. By implementing a zero-waste lunch, students, parents/caregivers, and teachers can work together to prepare lunches that reduce the amount of trash being thrown away. These efforts can also save parents/caregivers money in the long run. In fact, according to the U.S. EPA, packing a waste-free lunch saves an average student $250 and 67 pounds of trash per nine-month school year.
Longfellow Eagles can pack a zero-waste lunch by following these tips:
- Avoid disposable lunch bags.
- Use lunch boxes or fabric bags for lunch.
- If paper bags are used, save and reuse them.
- Avoid prepackaged single-serving containers.
- Buy your favorite treats, such as chips, applesauce, or yogurt, in large packages/containers or in bulk rather than single serving packaging.
- Repackage snacks in reusable containers such as margarine tubs to avoid using single-serving packaging (e.g., plastic bags).
- If plastic bags are used, they can often be washed out with soapy water and reused.
- Use reusable containers or Thermoses for drinks and soups.
- Pack a cloth napkin and reusable utensils.
- Bring fresh fruit since it doesn't require any additional packaging.
Download a Waste Free Poster @
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/pdfs/lunch.pdf
Download a Waste Free Lunch Weekly Menu @
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/education/pdfs/wfl-pack.pdf
TerraCycle Community Recycling Collections
Several times throughout the school year we spotlight our TerraCycle partnership.
On Wednesday, April 23rd we will hold our first TerraCycle Community Recycling Collection Day for e-waste, ink cartridges, writing utensils, glue sticks, & juice pouches during our Spring Walk, to School Day. Families will be encouraged to bring any of the aforementioned items to the celebration. Our Green Team will have collection bins available for each item.
Several times throughout the school year we spotlight our TerraCycle partnership.
On Wednesday, April 23rd we will hold our first TerraCycle Community Recycling Collection Day for e-waste, ink cartridges, writing utensils, glue sticks, & juice pouches during our Spring Walk, to School Day. Families will be encouraged to bring any of the aforementioned items to the celebration. Our Green Team will have collection bins available for each item.
Longfellow Book Swap
Each year, our Library Media specialist, Mr. Winner, in collaboration with our Longfellow PTA, runs a book swap program in the library and once again at our Spring Fair. Students are permitted to bring in as many books as they desire to swap for new gently used books. Our Books Swaps encourage reading and promotes going green by recycling and re-using books. It also reduces costs for families in the community, as purchasing new books can get expensive.
Staff Water Club
In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic bottles recycled at Longfellow our staff was provided the opportunity to join our Longfellow Water Club. An initial payment allows staff members access to a water cooler for the entire school year. Additionally, all staff members were given a reusable Longfellow Water Bottles to help reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used throughout the school year.
A Green Approach to Home/School Communication: LoES on Facebook & Twitter
In another attempt to go green and minimize our reliance on paper and photocopying we started a Facebook Page and Twitter Feed to electronically deliver school news to our Longfellow families. Our followers continue to climb and our paper usage continues to dwindle!
Like us @
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Longfellow-Elementary-School-HCPSS/1442934249253694
Follow Us @
@hcpss_loes
In another attempt to go green and minimize our reliance on paper and photocopying we started a Facebook Page and Twitter Feed to electronically deliver school news to our Longfellow families. Our followers continue to climb and our paper usage continues to dwindle!
Like us @
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Longfellow-Elementary-School-HCPSS/1442934249253694
Follow Us @
@hcpss_loes
A Green Approach to our School Newsletter
In an effort to reduce our reliance on paper, our school newsletter, LoES Updates, is delivered electronically to our school community. Those who do not have computer access can request a paper copy of the newsletter so that everyone can stay in tune with things that are happening around the school.
Paper, Magazine, & Newspaper Drive Contests
These monthly school-wide contests challenged homeroom classes to see who could collect the most newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. Collection occurred over the course of a month last year for each contest and materials were collected and weighed from each room at the end of the week to track totals. We were able to recycle over 6,500 pounds of materials!!! Results are as follows:
These monthly school-wide contests challenged homeroom classes to see who could collect the most newspapers, magazines, and periodicals. Collection occurred over the course of a month last year for each contest and materials were collected and weighed from each room at the end of the week to track totals. We were able to recycle over 6,500 pounds of materials!!! Results are as follows:
Copy Free Fridays
Longfellow's first ever Copy Free Friday, where we unplug ALL photocopiers throughout Longfellow, is scheduled on April 25, 2014, as part of our Inaugural Green Week. We hope to hold another Copy Free Friday in May and then throughout the 2014-2015 school year. By powering down and unplugged our copiers for the day we hope to decrease our energy usage and reduce paper usage throughout our school.
Longfellow's first ever Copy Free Friday, where we unplug ALL photocopiers throughout Longfellow, is scheduled on April 25, 2014, as part of our Inaugural Green Week. We hope to hold another Copy Free Friday in May and then throughout the 2014-2015 school year. By powering down and unplugged our copiers for the day we hope to decrease our energy usage and reduce paper usage throughout our school.
Staff Copy Counts
The Green Team has started posting monthly cumulative photocopying totals for our staff and PTA to create awareness of copy usage. Our hope is that posting the number of copies we can reduce the number of photocopies used each month.
The Green Team has started posting monthly cumulative photocopying totals for our staff and PTA to create awareness of copy usage. Our hope is that posting the number of copies we can reduce the number of photocopies used each month.
Longfellow Recycling Team
Teams of fourth graders collect paper recyclables semi-weekly from bins located in each homeroom class and throughout our school. Additionally, our fifth graders began a plasticware recycling program in our cafeteria in March, 2013. Our pre-K through fifth grade students now recycle used milk cartons, plasticware, lunch trays, and aluminum juice pouches each and every day thanks to this new green initiative. Our staff collects plastics, paper, and aluminum cans daily.
Teams of fourth graders collect paper recyclables semi-weekly from bins located in each homeroom class and throughout our school. Additionally, our fifth graders began a plasticware recycling program in our cafeteria in March, 2013. Our pre-K through fifth grade students now recycle used milk cartons, plasticware, lunch trays, and aluminum juice pouches each and every day thanks to this new green initiative. Our staff collects plastics, paper, and aluminum cans daily.