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There are more than 1,000 school districts in California, with nearly 9,000 schools serving approximately 6
million students. It is estimated that more than 700,000 tons of material is disposed each year
by these learning institutions and their students. In an effort to reduce this amount,
Public Resources Code, Section 42621 requires the CIWMB to develop and implement a waste reduction program for
school districts. One element of this program is to conduct a survey of school districts throughout the State to
determine which districts need assistance developing diversion programs. The CIWMB has conducted several surveys to
assess the districts’ integrated waste management efforts.
How to use the Survey data
Survey data from participating school districts are available in different formats for use by school districts,
jurisdictions, CIWMB staff and other interested parties. Users can access individual survey forms and contact information
from each responding school district, query survey data by specific program or waste reduction activity. These data are provided in an effort to facilitate
networking among school districts, jurisdictions and CIWMB staff, to share successful program information and to expand
such successes statewide!
- School Districts can view completed survey forms from their own school district, neighboring districts and districts
statewide to find out which waste reduction programs are being implemented. Using survey data from your school district
is a great way to establish a baseline regarding existing waste reduction program implementation and to use as a tool to
identify potential program improvements and/or expansions. Once you have an idea of additional programs you might like to
implement, improve or expand, you can query the survey data for specific waste reduction activities to see which school
districts have implemented those programs. Contact information is then available and can be used to connect with these
districts about specific program logistics and resources. Additionally, by contacting your local jurisdiction
representative or recycling coordinator (http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/OLA/Contacts.asp), you
may access additional assistance,
support and resources to help you establish or expand successful waste reduction programs in your district.
- Jurisdiction Representatives can view completed surveys for similar purposes, e.g., to find out what programs are being implemented locally
and to compare those with nearby districts and districts statewide. As described above, the survey data are a powerful tool for program planning
and outreach purposes. Jurisdictions can use these data to assist their local districts in establishing a baseline, developing a plan to target
key waste types, and to monitor progress. The contact information is extremely helpful for jurisdictions to identify the right person at the
district to work with on institutionalizing waste reduction programs districtwide. Establishing and maintaining a supportive working relationship
with local school districts in the development of districtwide waste reduction programs will assist jurisdictions in meeting and maintaining their
diversion goals.
- The Office of Local Assistance (OLA) staff of the CIWMB use these data to assess a jurisdiction’s needs in terms of school
district waste reduction and tailor the CIWMB School Waste Management Education Assistance Program as necessary.
Additionally, OLA staff is using this information to develop case studies and models of waste diversion programs for various
school district types and sizes.
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