Staying Green: HSD Recycles More Than 1M Pounds of Waste

The Hazelwood School District has really picked up the pace of cleaning up trash -- literally.

The district has recycled more than 1.6 million pounds of waste between June 2012 and March 2013, according to a district press release.

“We have dedicated a tremendous effort to reduce our carbon footprint as a District,” said Kevin Cross, director of purchasing and supplier diversity, in the release. “Our recycling numbers are reflective of the effort we make individually--our students, teachers and administrators. This number is also reflective of our commitment to being environmentally conscientious as a District.”

In August 2011, the district began picking up its “green” efforts by partnering with Allied Waste, a Republic Services Company, to add recycling programs to each district school.

The district ramped up its efforts with an expanded community electronic waste recycling drive earlier this year.

During the event, which was a coordinated effort of three different dates at three locations in the district, the district collected more than 34,000 pounds of waste from community members.

“I am extremely pleased with the recycling turnout and the community helping to reduce its carbon footprint,” Cross said in a statement during that time. “This means less electronics will go into local landfills. We worked with a company that will properly dispose of this waste. Special thanks to Republic Service Company for their continued partnership and to HSD staff, students and community members for participating in the HSD E-waste Recycling Drive--it was a huge success.”

Republic Services blue containers for recycling can be found at each campus of the Hazelwood School District and includes recycling of the normal odds and ends such as glass, cardboard and other acceptable materials.