● No Junk Mail. Have you ever added up the amount of paper your house collects in one week from the delivery of junk mail? A large percentage of the household paper recycling consist of unsolicited mail. Think of the environmental implications of all the paper – trees cut down, water used to process the paper, inks used to print it, the cost and gas used to transport all that paper and the cost and gas used to pick up the paper that is then recycled. As a class, have every student collect and then measure their household junk mail (by weight, count or measure volume). Do this for 2-3 weeks worth. If there is a significant volume of paper, design and post "No Junk Mail" signs or banners to every student's household. Repeat your measurements one month after everyone has posted their signs and see if there is a significant reduction in paper. Download No Junk Mail Posters

● Waste Reduction Policy. Everything we produce or use must eventually go somewhere. At times we re-use or recycle this left over material, but most often it ends up in the garbage. Does your school have a Waste Reduction Policy? An Environmental Committee? Audit your class or your school’s (or lunchroom) garbage for a week; develop a class/school policy that will decrease the weekly garbage output (for example, Waste-Free Lunches; Supplies Reuse Program; recycling of paper, metals, toners, ink cartridges, food/compost; Goods Swaps such as books and clothing; ). A month later, repeat your garbage audit to verify that there has been a measurable change. Ensure that you report and publish your pre-audit measurements, any policies that may arise from the audit, and ongoing reductions.

● No Plastic or Paper Bags. Make and/or encourage families in the community to use durable cloth shopping bags to bring home groceries, eliminating the need for paper and plastic bags.

● The Environment Club at Cape Breton Highlands Academy, in the rural community of Terre Noire, Nova Scotia identified recycling and composting as their focus for their EcoPlan. Although Nova Scotia's recycling laws prevent recyclables from going into the garbage, the students felt more action was needed. The Club is responsible for collecting, rinsing and sorting all recyclables within the school. The Club studied the school paper recycling program, and the waste produced in the school cafeteria. Their EcoPlan was to increase awareness of the Ecological Footprint concept, including incorporating it into the curriculum. Powerpoint presentations were developed to share the Ecological Footprint concept with other classes and the larger community. The Club gave recycling presentations to elementary students with demonstrations on how to wash recyclables and which bins to use. After the presentations there was a marked improvement in the recycling bins with less garbage and cleaner bottles. New recycling bins in the school have helped boost recycling of paper. The Club ordered composting bins from the local Resource Recovery Fund Board and began composting food waste from the school cafeteria. Profits from soil sales will be used to fund environmentally friendly programs in the school.

● Develop an onschool recycling program (i.e., cell phones, rechargeable batteries or ink cartridges) to collect items normally thrown away that can be toxic in large quantities. Work with the school’s Parent Council to arrange for monthly drop-offs to a recognized recycling authority. In Lachute Vocational School, Quebec students polled the school to identify how they could reduce waste. Students learned that almost every student had a battery-driven music device and that batteries were being routinely discarded in regular garbage receptacles. With a personal responsibility focus, students decided to further investigate recycling for the community and identify a plan to collect and discard batteries at a battery disposal facility. They visited the Town Hall where they learned that recycling of any kind is not practiced or promoted.

Students then decided to locate out-of-town options for battery disposal. A centre was identified an hour’s drive away. They set up a program in their school and ran a successful awareness campaign among students, staff and administration. Students created posters, leaflets, quizzes, contests and a film, Littering – That’s Rubbish to encourage local participation in their battery collection program at the school. The students have also set up a waste minimization program in every classroom, administration department and the school cafeteria.

● Design and build your own school composter to divert food waste from the school and use the finished compost for a school garden or sell it to raise money to improve the schoolyard.

● Reduce Paper Use by 10%. Collect data on annual school paper usage and recycling patterns and set a goal of 10% reduction. Reduce paper consumption by posting notes and newsletters online, using overheads, and double-siding photocopies.