Report: More waste at Hennepin County schools could be recycled
A new report finds most of what's being thrown out at schools in Hennepin County could be recycled.
Researchers studied trash in six schools in Minneapolis, Hopkins and Minnetonka and found that 60 percent of what was thrown out could have been recycled.
John Jaimez, with the county's environmental services office, said the schools are not to blame because they already have recycling and composting programs and recycling is such a personal choice.
"There's no magic silver bullet you can do one time and your recycling programs will forever more run perfectly," Jaimez said. "Like many things where you're trying to get people's behavior to change, there needs to be frequent education and promotion activities."
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The report found that nearly a quarter of waste that was thrown out was recyclable paper, including white office paper and cardboard.
Researchers also estimated that all schools in Minnesota generate more than 240 tons of waste every day combined.
Schools that were studied for this report:
Minneapolis School District
- Burroughs Elementary
- Northeast Middle School
- Washburn High School
Hopkins School District
- Hopkins West Junior High
Minnetonka School District
- Minnetonka Senior High
- Clear Springs Elementary
You can read the report here.