Recycling
All school sites and support buildings have participated in the LPS Recycling Program since 2002.
Each school has the flexibility to decide how students will be engaged in the program. Collections are done by many different groups, such as specific grade levels, like kindergarten classes studying ‘Garbology’ or a 5th grade science class.
Other groups include school Green Teams, student councils, Community Learning Center after-school programs, and Special Education classes.
Why We Recycle
What We Recycle
The categories below are all recyclable within LPS! Items should be placed into the appropriate bin or container for recycling. Separating by category helps to ensure your items can be recycled as intended. To view the district’s complete recycling guideline presentation, click here.
Mixed Office Paper
Mixed Office Paper
Copier and lined paper of any color or size, cardstock, adhesive notes, envelopes, ream wrappers, newspaper, magazines, paperboard, and chipboard.
Learn more
Cans & Plastic
Cardboard
Cardboard
Flattened, dry cardboard free from food residue can be tucked behind or in between classroom or office bins for custodial staff to collect.
Learn more
Markers
Markers
Schools can collect markers, pens, mechanical pencils, and caps from any brand and send the box to Operations for recycling.
Download flyer
Electronic Waste, Printer Cartridges, and Batteries
Electronic Waste, Printer Cartridges, and Batteries
Place these items in a box labeled "Please Recycle" and send them to the LPS Distribution Center to be recycled. Electronics and other LPS-purchased property must be sent to the Distribution Center to be reused or recycled through district contracts.
Miscellaneous Items
Miscellaneous Items
Recycling of materials such as fluorescent light tubes, used motor oil, used tires, and scrap metal is managed by LPS custodial and maintenance staff.
Hard-to-Recycle Plastics
Hard-to-Recycle Plastics
LPS Sustainability is now offering Hefty ReNew bags to schools upon request. These bags are designed to collect plastics that cannot be processed via normal recycling channels.
Request Bags
Kindergarten Garbology
Every year, Lincoln Public Schools’ newest students learn about how to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Our team partners with Keep Lincoln and Lancaster County Beautiful and the City of Lincoln Solid Waste Division to share these lessons across the district.
Green School Recognition Program Tips!
Recycling related activities include:
Cans4Books Recycling Drive
5 points
April is National School Library Month AND Earth Month, so that means it is time for the LPS Cans4Books Recycling Drive! Raise money for your school library AND help the environment by recycling your aluminum cans. Bring your cans to Green Quest Recycling from April 1st – April 30th and be sure to mention that you are donating to the LPS Cans4Books drive. Donations made for your school will be used to purchase books for your school library. The drop off location is Green Quest Recycling, 440 J St. Schools with the top dollar earnings (per capita) will win Barnes & Noble gift certificates for their library.
Save a Tree Campaign
10 points
Create signs for paper towel and napkin dispensers, make announcements, change default printer settings to double-sided, etc. You can even pick a date for a school-wide no paper day and educate students and staff about the importance of reducing our paper waste. Earn an extra 10 points if you engage staff in a competition to reduce paper consumption across departments or grade levels. E-mail bwees@lps.org to get more information about a staff competition.
Recycled Art
5 points
Environmental Education isn’t just for science! Help your students understand the importance of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, while creating some beautiful art pieces with recyclable materials. Displaying these pieces can also help students see the visual representation of what it would mean for all that material to go to the landfill instead. Here is a list of Classroom Activities Using Recycled Materials to get you started!
Classroom Activities Using Recycled Materials
Marker Recycling
10 points
Gather up plastic writing utensils and send them to the Sustainability team to be recycled! Collect markers, pens, mechanical pencils, and their caps in a box at your school. These can be any brand, any size, and any condition! Once your box is full, label it with your school name and send it to LPS Operations, Attn: Brittney Wees via interoffice mail. Click here for a flyer you can hang up or attach to your collection box!
Flyer
From Paper to Paper
10 points
Explore the steps required to make recycled paper by doing them yourself! Follow these simple steps to make paper from recycled paper!
Steps to Make Paper From Recycled Paper
T-Shirt Bags
10 points
Craft your own reusable bag out of an old t-shirt! Use these instructions to learn how to make a reusable bag without using sewing.
Instructions
and MORE!
View these activities and more on the Green Schools Recognition Activity List!
Want more ideas? Check out the activities through EcoSchools U.S.
