1 of 10

How to Sort Your Waste

2024

Sustainability@schools.nyc.gov

Curbside Compost Expansion

2 of 10

2

Waste Characterization Study

85% of school waste can be recycled!

3 of 10

Compost Cycle

4 of 10

What goes in the BLUE bin?

METAL, GLASS, HARD PLASTIC & CARTONS

RECYCLABLE:

    • Milk cartons
    • Juice boxes
    • Yogurt containers
    • Aluminum Foil

​

​

Non-Recyclable:

    • Condiment packets
    • Foam plastic
    • Plastic wrap & baggies
    • Wrappers �(e.g. utensils)

5 of 10

What goes in the GRAY/BLACK bin?

Common items that go into the trash:

    • Utensil wrapper​
    • “Foil” sandwich/condiment package​
    • Chip bags
    • Used facial tissues
    • Sandwich/plastic bags

TRASH​

6 of 10

What goes in the BROWN bin?

Any food or food scraps:

    • Fruits and vegetables
    • Meat and dairy products 
    • Cooked food

Any food soiled paper:

Paper bags

Paper "boats"

Dirty napkins

​

Compostable Tray + Utensils

​

​

7 of 10

Get involved!

  • Join your Green Team and become a “Recycling Ranger”
    • Green Team members can help supervise sorting station
  • Have a lasting impact on your school
  • Build leadership skills
  • Looks great on resumes/ higher education applications
    • Might even be able to get extra credit!

8 of 10

Pre-Sort by separating items on your tray before getting up from the table - saves time and make sorting easier!

​

GRAY TRASH BIN:

Soft plastic & wrappers

ORGANICS BROWN BIN:

Food, compostable plate, utensils, and napkins

​

RECYCLING BLUE BIN:

Milk cartons & �hard plastics

Pre-sorting

9 of 10

9

To sort your waste:

  1. Throw out remaining liquid from milk and juice containers.
  2. Put the liquid containers into the blue recycling bin.
  3. Dispose of any soft plastics into the trash.
  4. Place the remaining waste into the brown compost bin.

Proper Cafeteria Set Up

10 of 10

10

wastesupport@schools.nyc.gov

Thank you!

​

Questions?