Recycling for Schools

The most powerful habits and attitudes are formed at an early age. Recycling can be one of them. Our recycling curriculum has been developed in alignment with STEM and the Next Generation Science Standards and includes all the required materials and background information you need to create a recycling lesson plan for any classroom.

Back to Resources Home

Learn about recycling at your school

Video thumbnail: A smiling woman with long dark hair in a green WM shirt.

Recycling Basics

0:26

Learn the importance of adopting proper recycling practices and get a quick lesson on the basics of recycling.

Video thumbnail: Workers sort materials on a conveyor belt in a recycling facility.

What Is Recycling Contamination?

1:31

Learn more about recycling contamination and how we can work together to make recycling sustainable.

Video thumbnail: A young girl holds green recycling symbols, with more symbols in the background.

What it Means to Recycle Right®

2:25

Learn more about the environmental impact of recycling often and recycling correctly.

Video thumbnail: Pots, pitchers, glasses, pretzels and chips on a kitchen counter.

Get Organized

0:34

Organize your recycling before the guests arrive. Label containers and enjoy!

Video thumbnail: Two white bins labelled Recycle and Trash.

How to Organize Your Recycling

0:32

Organize to make sure the right items get recycled.

Resources for Schools

Posters, Guides & Other Tools

Poster: What’s Recyclable at School

Learn which materials go into your recycling container and which do not.

Poster: What's Recyclable at School (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines to know which materials go into your recycling container.

Poster: Most Common Contaminants

Find out which items cause recycling contamination and what to do with them instead.

4 Steps to Get Started Recycling

Follow these 4 easy steps to set up your recycling for success.

What it Means to Recycle Right Brochure

Learn more about the benefits of recycling and find the recycling rules.

What it Means to Recycle Right Brochure (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Learn more about the benefits of recycling and find the right recycling rules.

Recycling Myths

Become the expert and uncover the truth about common recycling myths.

Container Labels

Recycling Container Label

Affix this label to your curbside recycling bin to remind you what materials are acceptable and non-acceptable for recycling.

Recycling Container Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Commercial Recycling Container Label

Affix this label to all recycling bins to remind employees what is acceptable and non-acceptable for recycling.

Commercial Recycling Container Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Commercial Recycling Container Label - Mixed Fiber Only

For facilities that only accept mixed fiber, like cardboard and paper. Affix this label to all recycling containers as a reminder for employees.

Commercial Recycling Container Label - Cardboard Only

For facilities that only accept cardboard. Affix this label to all recycling bins as a reminder for employees.

Simplified Recycling Label

This simplified label showcases the most common recyclable items.

Simplified Recycling Label (Glass Not Accepted)

Glass recycling rules vary, so please check your local program guidelines. Use this label in areas where glass is not accepted in your program.

Simplified Trash with Food Waste Accepted Label

This simplified label shows what materials belong in the trash (for areas where food waste is acceptable in the trash).

Simplified Trash with Food Waste Not Accepted Label

This simplified label shows what materials belong in the trash (for areas where food waste is non-acceptable in the trash).

Simplified Organics Recycling Label

This simplified label shows materials that are typically acceptable for organics recycling programs.

Recycling Labels for Each Room

Label recycling containers in multiple rooms in your school buildings with these customized labels for the kitchen, bathroom and office.

Recycling Resources for Kids

Recycled Art Activities

Introduce a fun exercise creating reusable art to emphasize waste reduction.

Elementary Curriculum Overview

Provide kids with interactive learning opportunities that focus on building proper recycling habits with the Recycle Right Elementary Curriculum based on STEM standards.

Curriculum Grades K-2

Find engaging and fun lessons, activities and handouts tailored for children in grades K-2.

Curriculum Grades 3-5

Find engaging and fun lessons, activities and handouts tailored for children in grades 3-5.

Curriculum Grades 4-5

Find engaging and fun lessons, activities and handouts tailored for children in grades 4-5.

Commercial Reusable Recycling Bag Tools

Commercial Reusable Recycling Bag Toolkit

Eliminating single-use plastic bags reduces contamination and saves money. Engage your team to learn how sustainable reusable bags can be.

Reusable Bag Care Poster

Place above recycling containers with reusable bags to remind folks food and liquid are not recyclable.

Employee Email

Inform employees why you’re using reusable recycling bags and eliminating single-use plastic bags.

Janitorial Staff Email

Engage your facility staff and reaffirm how important they are to make your company’s recycling program a success.

Janitorial Recycling Tag

Janitorial staff can use this tag to alert employees to only recycle empty bottles, cans, paper and cardboard.

Commercial Reusable Bag Sales Sheet

Order the Commercial Reusable Bag directly at wmgearstore.wm.com and eliminate single use plastic bags.

Explore More Recycling Resources

Find recycling tools, videos and guides for where you live, work and learn.

A home recycling station with WM-labelled garbage and recycling compartments.

Recycling at Home

Videos, posters and guides to help your household recycle properly.

An employee sorts items at an office recycling station with WM recycling posters.

Recycling for Businesses

Tools and training to set up recycling in your workplace.

A WM collection truck picks up green recycling carts at the kerb.

Recycling for Municipalities

Resources to build and promote your community's curbside recycling program.

A WM driver shakes hands with a resident beside a collection truck.

Recycling for Property Managers

Toolkits and labels to make recycling easy for residents and staff.