GrowNYC Zero Waste Schools (ZWS) is committed to making it easy and fun for schools to transition to Curbside Composting. We have a variety of resources to support you with setting up or improving your school recycling program including, set-up guides, a Sorting 101 Presentation and video, posters, handouts, and activities that help make sorting easier and recycling areas more efficient.
Following the 2024 school year, all NYC K-12 Public Schools will be enrolled in DSNY’s Curbside Composting program. This means that schools are separating food scraps and food-soiled paper in addition to regular recycling and diverting up to 86% of their waste from landfill! Learn more about this partnership at the NYC Department of Sanitation and NYC Public Schools Office of Sustainability and Energy website.
Waste Sorting Station Setup and Best Practices ← Click to expand
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Station Order
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Guide Templates
Spanish - Cafeteria Waste Sorting Guide
Cafeteria Waste Sorting Station Look Books/ Portfolio of Layouts
Cafeteria Presort Guide
Signs and posters:
Free Recycling Resources from the NYC Department of Sanitation
How to Order DSNY Posters and Decals Letter sized DSNY Posters
Cafeteria Directional Arrows:
Communications ← Click to expand
Faculty & Staff Letter
Elementary Morning Announcements
Middle and High School Morning Announcements
2023 DSNY/DOE Welcome Letter
Missed Collections Protocol
Waste Sorting Education and Activities ← Click to expand
Cafeteria Presort Guide
Sorting 101 Presentation
Sort It Out In 30 seconds Video
Pre K - 1st Grade Sort It Out Song and Dance
I Dot Survey
Sort It Out Folded Flashcards
Cafeteria Bin Printouts
3D Bulletin Boards
ZWS Composting Videos
ZWS Sustainability Videos
Find more activities at our Green Team Page!
OFNS, Food Waste Reduction Resources ← Click to expand
Share Table:
Offer Vs. Serve:
- One Pager, Offer Vs Serve Guidelines
- Offer Versus Serve (OVS) Guideline
- OVS Breakfast Tip Sheet
- OVS Lunch Tip Sheet
Food Donation and Safety:
