Schools across New York are recycling, reducing waste, saving energy, conserving resources, preventing runoff pollution and working to eliminate toxic materials. In addition to the long-range benefits of good environmental stewardship, green policies help schools provide healthier surroundings for their students and staff.
See our extensive list of teacher resources related to the environment, including lesson plans, workshops, poster contests, and green chemistry information.
Curriculum
Conservationist for Kids
Conservationist for Kids is DEC's very own nature and outdoors magazine for students. The magazine is sent to all public school 4th graders three times a year. Visit the website for additional activities and resources for educators and fun "green" activities for your school.
Lesson Plans and Workshops
DEC offers environmental education lesson plans and training for educators, and can provide printed materials and support to help teachers focus on environmental issues in the classroom. DEC also runs several poster contests that children can enter.
Project Learning Tree's GreenSchools! program has a number of investigations for youth to run at their school building -- examining waste and recycling, water use, energy use, and the entire school site as a whole. Project Learning Tree is sponsored in New York by the DEC's Bureau of Environmental Education.
[*Note: you have to sign up to view the investigations. It is free to sign up.]
New York Climate Education Hub is a comprehensive hub of interdisciplinary resources vetted by scientists, reviewed by teachers, and crafted to assist New York educators in integrating climate education into their classrooms.
Culture of Repair provides educators with resources and activities to teach primary and secondary school students practical repair skills while promoting waste reduction and a reuse mindset.
New York Recycles!
New York Recycles!/ America Recycles Day is celebrated annually on November 15 and highlights the importance of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Schools can use this day as an opportunity to engage students in learning about sustainable materials management in the classroom and at home.
The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (NYSAR3) hosts a NYRecycles! calendar content for students to raise standards of overall waste reduction. For recycling guidance and outreach materials, visit Recycle Right NY.
Recognition and Award Programs
NYS Green Ribbon Schools
The NY State Education Department's Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools taking a comprehensive approach to greening their school. A comprehensive approach incorporates environmental learning with improving environmental and health impacts. It is the New York nomination process for the US Education Department's Green Ribbon Schools program.
Grant Opportunities
Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants
Environmental Justice grants are available for projects such as cleanup of lead or mercury contamination in schools and education projects connecting inner-city students to nature.
Recycling Grants
Matching grants for school districts are available through the Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling State Assistance Program.
Urban Forestry Grants
Grants are available for eligible urban forestry projects including plantings on school properties.
Green Schools Grant
The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) offers an annual Green Schools Grant program -- check for timeframes and opportunities.
College Grant Program
NYSAR3 offers a grant program for New York State universities and colleges that focuses on source reduction, reuse, or recycling projects.
School Grounds and Facilities
Toxics Elimination, Reduction
See introduction to green chemistry practices to minimize hazardous waste.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
Recycling is required for all entities that generate solid waste in New York State, including schools. Public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and any other educational institutions in New York State are required to recycle materials collected in their local recycling program.
Each New Yorker generates around 4.1 pounds of solid waste each day. Recycling is one part of a total solid waste management program; waste reduction and reuse take precedence in a comprehensive solid waste management program. Each municipality is required by Chapter 70, Laws of New York 1988, to have a recycling law or ordinance requiring source separation of recyclables. Each municipality developed a recycling program that fit their needs and met the goals established by the State and each has their own penalties or fines for those people who do not recycle.
Evaluate Your Current Recycling Program. Review your current recycling program to ensure your school is recycling all of the items required by your local law. If improvements are needed, meet with your local recycling hauler and custodial staff to get your school in compliance.
Contact Your Municipal Recycling Coordinator. Your local recycling coordinator can provide guidance on what materials are accepted in your community and how to properly recycle them. They may also offer educational resources and support to help improve your program. Find your local recycling coordinator.
Get Students Involved. Students are the leaders of tomorrow and play an important role in waste reduction and making recycling work. Involving them in waste reduction and recycling initiatives helps conserve natural resources, reduce landfill waste, and give materials a second life. Encourage student-led projects at school to prevent waste before it starts and strengthen your school’s recycling system by using the following action guides.
- Actions Students Can Take at School – Reduce, Reuse, and Repair (PDF, 225 KB)
- Actions Students Can Take at School – Recycling (PDF, 125 KB)
- Cafeteria Culture- Take Action Toolkits
Wasted Food Reduction & Composting
Get Students Involved. Students are the leaders of tomorrow and can play an important role in reducing wasted food and composting initiatives. When food is wasted, the resources that went into growing, harvesting, and transporting it are also wasted. Encourage student-led projects at school to prevent wasted food and enhance composting initiatives by using the following action guides.
- Actions Students Can Take at School – Reducing Wasted Food (PDF, 243 KB)
- Actions Students Can Take at School – Composting (PDF, 144 KB)
Implementing A Successful Wasted Food Reduction and Food Scraps Collection Program. The following resources were created by the Rethink Food Waste NY program, managed by CET and funded by DEC. Cooperation between administrators, custodial staff, dining hall supervisors and a compost champion are key to success.
- Guidance for Administrators
- Guidance for Dining Service Supervisors
- Guidance for Custodial Staff
- Guidance for School Compost Champion
Food waste audits. Food waste audits help identify the types and sources of food going to waste in a school, which can inform future purchasing habits and menu planning. Waste audits offer many opportunities for students to get involved in the process.
- Guide to Conducting Student Food Waste Audits, developed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the University of Arkansas.
Composting On-Site at School. Composting helps divert food scraps, inedible food, and yard waste from disposal in landfills. Schools composting their organics on-site (K-12 and college campuses) are exempt from DEC composting regulations. Composting on-site offers opportunities for hands-on learning. It also allows gardening or environmental clubs to be directly involved in the process and the finished compost can then be used in school gardens or landscaping.
Sustainable Containers, Packaging, and Products
Reducing waste and using more sustainable products at schools can make a big difference for the planet while allowing schools to lead by example. In New York State, disposable food service containers that contain polystyrene foam are banned. This includes school cafeterias that distribute prepared food and beverages. Resources are available to assist schools in learning about different types of containers and packaging. The distribution and sale, in New York, of food packaging that contains intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is also banned.
- New York State Polystyrene Foam Ban
- Expanded Polystyrene Alternatives Reference Guide
- NYS PFAS in Food Packaging Law
Schools can also purchase healthier and more sustainable products, including GreenNY-compliant products and services that help the State of New York meet its environmental sustainability goals.
Hazardous Waste Management
DEC's Waste Management program provides guidance managing proper disposal of fluorescent lamps, mercury-containing equipment, electronics, Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and other hazardous waste, such as lab chemicals.
Outdoor Air Quality
Heavy-duty vehicles, including diesel trucks and school buses, are prohibited from idling for more than five minutes at a time, with few exceptions; learn about the anti-idling law and required vehicle emissions inspections.
You can also visit the EPA website for more information on reducing children's exposure to diesel exhaust and the amount of air pollution created by diesel school buses.
Pest Management
Schools and day care centers that apply pesticides must meet DEC and State Education Department requirements. Information about alternative pest management methods is also available.
Stormwater Management
Learn how state standards for stormwater management may apply to your school. There is also information and guidance for adopting techniques for green infrastructure, including green roofs and rain gardens.
Green Cleaning Program Online Training
New York State Office of General Services (OGS) offers online training courses to facility managers, school administrators, educators, parents, and citizens. These courses provide a wealth of free information and tools to promote adoption of effective green cleaning practices, leading to healthier indoor environments. You can access these courses by visiting the OGS Green Cleaning Program online training.
Other Resources
New York State Office of General Services (OGS) - OGS Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, Energy Efficient Purchasing (Executive Order No. 111), Green Purchasing (Executive Order No. 134), Recycled and Remanufactured Purchasing (Executive Order No. 142).
NYS Green Ribbon Schools Design Program - New York Collaborative for High Performance Schools prepared by the New York State Education Department.
New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) - Looking for ways to make energy efficiency improvements to your school or thinking of building a new energy-efficient school, NYSERDA can help.
