SWACO’s School Recycling Champion program provides free recycling containers for schools in Franklin County and educational resources to help schools implement sustainable recycling programs. Participating schools are asked to assess their current recycling efforts, adopt recycling best practices, and educate staff and students with resources from SWACO.
Congratulations to our 2024-2025 School Recycling Champions!
- Bluffsview Elementary
- Slate Ridge Elementary
- Westerville North High School
- Kipp Columbus Primary
Learn more about the School Recycling Champions Program and apply today!
Start Your School Year Sustainably
Embracing a sustainable back-to-school approach means making mindful choices—reusing supplies, reducing classroom waste, and encouraging students to think about their environmental impact. By integrating eco-friendly practices into our routines and lessons, we not only reduce our own footprint but also help shape the next generation of environmental stewards. Let’s lead by example and make this school year a greener one—for our students and our planet.
- Reuse supplies instead of buying new
- Designate a table to swap classroom items between teachers
- Donate leftover items
- Purchase eco-friendly or recycled school supplies
- Encourage families to swap spirit wear they have outgrown during Open House night
Free Landfill Tours And Interactive Presentations
Every year, the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill receives a million tons of waste material from Franklin County homes, schools and businesses. SWACO provides free tours and presentations to educate students on landfill operations and why it’s important to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost. If your classroom isn’t already on the schedule to tour the landfill, check out the details and explore the different presentation options available. Then call 614-782-9429 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. We can even reimburse up to $220 per bus trip for Franklin County schools.
Join SWACO’s Green Team Network
Are you leading a Green Team in a school within Franklin County? Are you interested in starting a Green Team, but not sure where to begin? Join SWACO’s Green Team Network! No experience required. Fill out the form to join us in sharing ideas, strategies, struggles, and resources. We would love to hear from you and share our resources to help your school start or improve your Green Team. We will have webinars, networking events, and summer learning options for Green Team Champions.
Our first virtual networking meeting will be in August. If you join the Green Team Network, you will receive an email invite for the meeting. Click here to register.
For more information about how to help your school divert waste from the landfill, email [email protected].
Less Waste, More Taste
A share table is a designated area in the cafeteria where students can place unopened and unwanted food and drinks from the cafeteria for other students to take. They can be instrumental in reducing food waste at school and also help students who are food-insecure. If you would like help implementing a share table at your school, check out SWACO’s new share table guidance and contact the SWACO School Program Administrator. Click here to learn more.
