This optional portion of the challenge provides an opportunity to evaluate and raise awareness about the success of a school’s waste reduction efforts and recycling program.
Waste Management
Count the number of Waste and recycling containers to be included. (Some schools will use only cafeteria and trash containers, some will use all trash containers in a building, and some may use all trash containers on campus.)
To establish your baseline, have students measure gallons per trash can and estimate [or weigh if possible] how much trash is each. Calculate gallons of trash per bin and combine for the total gallons of trash per day/week.
Recycling
Appoint students to count the number of recycling containers to be included and to monitor the recycling bins for contamination on a weekly basis as follows:
Recycling bins containing only recyclables
Recycling bins containing some non-recyclable items
Recycling bins containing only waste
Waste bins containing only waste; some recyclables, etc.
Water Challenge
Schools may include water metering in their Challenge.
Other GCC Contests:
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL AWARDS
Individual Schools will be recognized in each bioregion, or state, according to their successful efforts to reduce electricity:
Percent improvement
Total savings
Usage per student/square foot (normalized by bio-region climate and facilities)
