For Schools
Reducing Waste at School
Did You Know?
California state law requires schools generating four or more cubic yards of garbage per week to recycle.
State law also requires schools generating four or more cubic yards of solid waste per week to separate and recycle organic waste*.
*Organic materials include yard trimmings, grass clippings, food waste, and non-treated wood waste.
Ways Your School Can Comply
Participate in Curbside Recycling if that service is available at your school. We can let you know if it is.
Take Recyclables to a Recycling Center - We can provide you a list of locations and accepted materials. Or, visit our How Do I Get Rid Of? tool for more information.
Establish a Share Table for Unwanted Food - This food share table guide, created by Alameda County, outlines how to run a share table in a way that keeps the food safe and meets Environmental Health codes.
Donate Food - See our list of local food pantries that accept edible food donations. The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects your school from liability.
Hold Recess Before Lunch - Many schools around the State are doing this with great success. We can connect your school with one of them to learn more.
Grasscycle - Leave grass clippings on your lawn when mowing. Clippings decompose quickly, returning valuable nutrients back to the soil. We can work with your maintenance staff on this.
Mulch - Use leaves and pine needles as mulch. Mulching controls weeds, conserves moisture, and reduces soil erosion.
Compost - Create a compost pile out of yard trimmings and food scraps. Contact us for a free how-to guide and/or for an on-site assistance.
Bring Yard Waste To:
- City of Redding Transfer Station - Accepts untreated/unpainted/unstained lumber and wood, and yard trimmings.
- Shasta-Sustainable Resource Management - Accepts tree tops, limbs, woody yard waste, pallets and crates, clean scrap lumber, plywood, and particle board.
We Are Here to Help!
We offer the following FREE assistance and resources:
- Site visits to assess your recycling and waste reduction circumstances and needs.
- Set-up & ongoing support to help your school start, improve, and maintain a waste reduction program. This can be by phone, email, and/or in-person.
- How-to guides and tips on recycling, composting, grasscycling, share tables and food donation.
- Recycling bins, signs, and bags available in various sizes & shapes; supplies limited.
We want to work with you! Contact us at (530) 225-5789 or recycle@shastacounty.gov.
School’s located in the City of Redding can call the City of Redding Solid Waste Utility at (530) 224-6201 for free recycling bins and support.
