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2030 MA-DEP Solid Waste Plan: Regulatory Updates and �Potential Impact to Schools

Presentation to: [Superintendent, CFO, School Committee, Town Manager]

Date:

Presenter and Contact Info:

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Waste Bans in MA

Regulatory Agency: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Waste bans in place since 2010
Banned Materials: Glass, certain plastics, construction materials, aluminum, paper, cardboard, tires, CRTs, large appliances etc.

Must be recycled or specially processed

Regulations: 310 CMR 19.000 and MGL Ch 16, Sec 21

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What is New?

New waste bans will come into effect in November, 2022 (FY23)
An entity producing organic wastes (e.g. food) of 0.5 tons (1,000 lbs) or more per week
Mattresses
Textiles
MA DEP typically works with haulers for inspections and enforcement; rejected loads will be very costly

Does this apply to [X District]?

Highly likely if your district has:

High School > 2,700 students (@0.35 lbs waste/student/week)
Middle School > 1,370 students (@ 0.73 lbs waste/student/week)
Elementary Schools >890 students (@ 1.1 lbs waste/student/week)

-and/or-

Centralized Kitchen responsible for most of the food served in other schools

Assume 0.07 lbs food prep waste (7%) per one (1) pound student meal prepared at site

Compostable Food Trays

Assume 0.01 lbs per meal served on site

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School Composting Elements

SCHOOL-WIDE

Hire a Reputable Compost Hauler / Processor
Have a “Let’s Talk Waste” Student and Staff Assembly with DPW/Green Team
Make a “extra credit” video to teach students about importance of recycling as part of curriculum

IN CAFETARIA

Signage with lots of photos
Food Prep Waste Station

Make sure to train new and established employees, and then offer a refresher halfway through year

Student Waste Stations

Solid waste (plastic bags, straws, plastic utensils, milk cartons, burger patties, hot dogs, sauce packets)
Compostables (trays, apple cores, banana peel, salad remains, tea bags)
Recyclables (clean foil, aluminum cans, drink bottles, PET or HDPE containers)

Employ a Lunch Monitor+ at site to oversee recycling and rescue misplaced waste items and to alert custodians when stations are full

>$20.00/hour
Have a back-up person or student volunteers identified in advance in case of sick days

Purchase Compostable Liners (BPI certified ONLY)
Having the right tools to minimize “friction” as much as possible

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Waste Station Features

FAST, SIMPLE, LOW FRUSTRATION

Each station arranged in order
Clear signs and photo of items
Dual-side access to avoid congestion
Clear sight of volumes to avoid overflow

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Operational Cost Projections to Enable Composting

Organics Hauler Service ($9,360)

$15 per 32 gallon toter x 8 toters x 2 pick ups per week
36 school weeks
Plus penalty of 3 school weeks due to 10% contamination rejections

BPI Certified Compostable Liners ($1,152)

$0.80/liner x 40 liners per week
36 school weeks

Lunch Monitor ($7,200)

$20/hour, 2 hours per day, 180 days per school year

GRAND TOTAL = $17,712*

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Ways to Reduce Cost (and Wastes)

Install and maintain dishwashing machines and reusable service ware

Reusable forks, knives, plates, bowls, cups and trays can greatly reduce operational costs and eliminate purchasing disposables entirely
Apply for SMRP funding or use RDP funding for dishwashers and one-time reusable service ware costs

Have students and teacher/parent volunteers run on-site composting and zero-waste garden

Start small and aim for one day per month

Ask DPW to give a credit for every ton of school waste diverted and use it to offset lunch monitor costs (typical costs of solid waste is $85/ton)
Have 30 minute (minimum) lunch periods

More time to eat means less food waste and more time for good sorting