Clean Up After Recycling

How to clean up after recycling

 Clean-up starts after 5^th grade lunch is over at 1:45.  (See below* on how to start earlier!)

1.       First, move the recycle cans/pans/tables over near the cafeteria tray window, so the custodians can mop and put away the big tables.

2.       Remove the clip-on signs, rinse them under the faucet to deter ants, and store them in the bottom drawer of the recycle cabinet.

3.       Empty the drink-emptying pans at the kitchen window, and refill with water for rinsing recyclables.**

4.       Get an empty black recycle can with liner bag to be your “clean” can.**

5.       Remove items from recycle can, rinse them, and drop them in the “clean” can.**

6.       Empty and completely rinse the metal pans at the kitchen window and leave them there.  Wipe down the tables and leave them near the custodian’s table.

7.       Take rinsed recyclables to the outside recycle bins.  Leave the liner bags in the cans, rinse with the hose if they have milk or food on them, and drain excess water.  (Beware that the hose water from the green faucet is very hot!)  If bags are damaged or cannot be cleaned, discard them and replace with new bags from the recycle cabinet.

8.       Return cans to storage wall inside.  There should be at least 3 cans upright with liner bags and lids when you finish (the lids can be loose to let air circulate).  A full green Capri Sun can may be stored inside a black recycle can; empty green cans should be stored upside-down on top of the black cans.

 * If you want to start rinsing early

Get a “clean” can as in step 4 above, and place it by the recycle line during an earlier lunchtime.  Empty one of the metal pans and fill it with rinse water, and rinse as in step 5 above.

You will need to pause before lunch dismissal times, cover the “clean” can and move it out of the way, and replace the drink-emptying tray for the students to use.  When you are finished, you can either take the “clean” can outside the long way (remember that you can’t go through the kitchen until after 5^th-grade lunch), or just park it, lid on, along the wall by the recycling supplies.

** Note: Steps 3-5 above are suggested steps – if you have a different way to get the recyclables rinsed, that’s fine!

Cleaned up and ready for the next day

Set Up for Recycling

How to set up for recycling

Set up starts anytime after kindergarten has been dismissed from lunch and before 1^st grade is dismissed (11:15-11:35).

Most recycling supplies are stored along the wall near the kitchen.  The clip-on signs should be in the bottom drawer of the recycling cabinet.  Can liner bags are in the 3^rd drawer.

A. Set up the recycle line as shown in the photos, starting near the cafeteria clock and working toward the kitchen tray window (the custodians will often have the trash cans and tables already set in the right area).  All signs should face the start of the line, and all recycle cans/pans should start out empty.

1.       Trash can

2.       Trash can

3.       Table with Capri Sun can (Bright green can; clip on Capri Sun sign)

4.       Table with drink-emptying pans (Two metal pans; clip on Pour Out sign.)

Borrow the deeper metal pans from the cafeteria ladies.  There may be some already sitting in the tray window from kindergarten, but if not, just ask someone after they are done serving 1^st-grade lunch.  If the deeper pans are not available, choose the next-best available.

5.       Recycle can (large black can WITH liner bag; clip on Recycle sign near handle)

6.       Trash can

7.       Trash can

B. Ensure that 2 more empty black recycle cans are upright by the supplies wall and have liner bags in and lids on.

The recycle line, as viewed from the start

Closeup of recycle stations

 

2011-12 WSE Directory Information Form is Closed

The initial deadline for WSE Directory information forms was August 29, 2011.  We have sent home a paper to the entire school (on the top of the PTO membership form), done two school-wide callouts, sent a paper reminder to all students without a completed form, and sent a targeted email reminder to all students without a completed form.  The online form is now closed for the year. 
If you have questions about the WSE Directory, please email them to WSEdirectory AT wsepto.com.

The easiest, fastest, volunteer job at WSE

2/29/2012 -- This post describes the old way of recycling

Lunch recycling is the easiest, fastest job in the whole school.  You don't have to make a special trip -- just sign up for a time that you plan to have lunch with your child anyway.  Visit with your child during lunch, and when the teachers start to dismiss the students, stand up at the recycle station to help.  With two helpers per lunch period, you're done in 10 minutes!

Anyone can recycle -- just sign in at the front desk when you come to the school.  You'll need your driver's license if it's your first time to sign in this school year.

No equipment needed!  We have aprons and gloves for your use (or feel free to bring your own).

Sign up at http://lunch.wsepto.com, and bring a friend!

There are posters on the wall to help you remember what items can and cannot be recycled.

We CAN recycle:

Plastics #1-7, except bags and Styrofoam

Aluminum foil

Metal cans

Clean cardboard (no grease or food)

We CAN upcycle:

Capri Suns and other juice pouches

We CANNOT recycle:

Milk or juice cartons, napkins, straws, waxed paper cups, peel-off lids, bags, wrappers, drink boxes

How to recycle:

• Arrive at least 10 minutes before the end of lunch (if you're not already there with your child).
• Stand up at the recycle center before the teachers start dismissing the classes.
• Help the students remember which items can be recycled, and encourage them to put their own recyclables in the large metal tray.
• Empty the Capri Suns and other juice pouches into your dirty-water tray, and drop the flattened pouches into the small green can
• Use the small metal trays (one for clean water, one for dirty) to rinse the plastic and metal items, and drop all items into the large black can. 
  Some items are too greasy to rinse, like ranch dressing containers, and some nacho cheese Lunchables; those can go in the trash.
• At the end of your shift, please empty your rinse water into the drain at the kitchen window (they appreciate it when we aim for the drain and don’t slosh!) and refill the container for the next grade, using the hanging nozzle.  (Fair warning – the water is hot…)
• Please return borrowed aprons and gloves to the storage area by the kitchen wall; lay the wet gloves atop a can or the cabinet to dry, and leave wet/dirty aprons out for collection.  Dry aprons can be returned to the drawer.
• First grade -- your shift includes setting up the recycle stations.  The tables should already be in place.  Move a black can and a green can from the wall over behind each table (see photo below).  Each table should have one long metal tray and two smaller metal trays.  If you need more trays, ask at the kitchen window after the serving line winds down for the grade.
• Third grade -- at the end of your shift, the recycling station farthest from the kitchen needs to be moved next to the other recycling station.
• Fifth grade -- your shift includes taking down the recycle stations.  After the students leave, the custodians will ask you to move the recycle stations over near the kitchen window (so they can put away the tables).  The metal trays should be returned to the kitchen window, the tables dried and stacked near the custodians' table, and the black cans emptied into the outdoor recycle bins (don't take out the bag; just pour the recyclables out) and returned to their storage spot along the kitchen wall.  The green cans can be stored inside one of the empty black cans; the Capri Suns are collected on Fridays and at least 2 other days each week.

There are 50 lunch recycling shifts per week (5 grades x 2 people x 5 days), so everyone is invited to sign up for multiple shifts!  A fun way to recycle is to team up with a friend and recycle for your child's lunch and the following lunch -- you have time to visit with your friend between the two recycling sessions.

A recycling station, from the students' point of view

A recycling station, from the volunteer's point of view

Recycling bins and supply cabinet

Questions?  Email lunchrecycle AT wsepto.com