Pinellas County Utilities promotes school recycling to educate children about recycling and reduce the waste stream.

Paper Recycling | Fundraising | Reduce Costs | Green & Healthy School
Posters | Other Recycling | Assistance | Links

PAPER RECYCLING
Pinellas County public schools have recycled over 13 million pounds (6.7 tons) of paper since the program began in 2004! These efforts represent significant pollution prevention and savings of trees, water, energy, and disposal capacity—plus avoided costs for the school district.

Click here for more information on the school paper recycling program including an activity sheet for elementary students. To request paper recycling bins, contact Pinellas County School Energy Coach Wayne Hefty (call 547-7170 or e-mail).

FUNDRAISING
Many schools raise money with recycling programs. Select from the list below for information on recycling fundraising opportunities:

• aluminum cans
• cartridges (inkjet and laser toner)
• cell phones
• newspaper/mixed paper
• plastic bottles
• shoes
• steel cans

REDUCE DISPOSAL COSTS
Your school can cut waste disposal costs by recycling items such as cardboard. See our ABC List for on-site recycling options, or consult Pinellas County School Energy Coach Wayne Hefty (call 547-7170 or e-mail) for information on school recycling and waste reduction programs.

GREEN & HEALTHY SCHOOL

• The Pinellas County School Board recently approved the Green & Healthy School Certification Program.
• The voluntary program is designed to encourage staff and students to recycle, conserve energy, and participate in environmental education activities.
• The program is a means to document progress and achieve recognition for conservation practices.
• Sign up to be a Green & Healthy School by contacting Pinellas County School Energy Coach Wayne Hefty (call 547-7170 or e-mail).

POSTERS 
Print these mini posters (8.5" x 11") to hang in the school office or teacher work areas:

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at School
  (12 ways to cut waste at school)
• Buy Recycled
  (list of recycled-content office supplies)
• Two Sides are Better Than One (promote two-sided copying)

OTHER RECYCLING
Teachers can reuse or recycle other items—not to raise money or reduce disposal costs—but to promote recycling as a lifetime habit. For example:

• Glue sticks and bottles - see Elmer's Glue Crew Recycling Program 
• Household items such as foam produce trays, empty paper towel rolls, or plastic bottle caps - reuse for classroom arts and crafts projects. For information on Dunedin's mosaic project for plastic bottle caps, contact Valerie Lane at 298-3215, ext. 24 or e-mail. View the Trash Matcher for recycled craft ideas such as making jewelry beads from junk mail. 

ASSISTANCE
Our Pinellas County Utilities staff is available to work with school-based environmental clubs to promote waste reduction or arrange for recycling at events. Please contact us at 464-7500 or recycle@pinellascounty.org.

LINKS
Useful links on our site:

• Curbside and Drop-off Recycling (recycling programs in Pinellas County listed by city)
• Recycling Map (60+ recycling drop-offs and free mulch sites) 
• Pinellas County Recycling Directory (24-page guide)
• A to Z Guide for Recycling & Disposal in Pinellas County (over 250 items)
• Recycling FAQs (60 FAQs about recycling)
• Green Tips (new Green Tip-of-the-Week every Friday)