Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in FCPS

Regulation 8541 requires FCPS schools to recycle.

FCPS Recycling Guidelines

• Recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin.
• Co-locate recycling bins next to waste bins throughout the entire campus, including the hallways, cafeteria, and classrooms. This allows everyone to consciously make a choice to recycle!
• Attach signs or posters to the wall above recycling and waste bins or directly to bins to clearly identify what can be recycled.
• Only cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, and #5, aluminum and tin cans should be placed in the recycling containers.
• Bottles and cans should be clean, empty, and dry.
• Cardboard lunch trays should be placed in the waste bin.
• If using plastic liners in larger recycling bins, only use clear bags.  Liners should not be used in smaller classroom recycling bins.
• Share information about recycling and waste reduction with staff, students, and visitors to foster a culture of resource stewardship.
• Form a green team to support a successful recycling and waste program at your school. The green team can also help educate others at the school about proper waste reduction and disposal methods.
• Custodians are a key part of your school’s recycling effort.  Include them in green team meetings and discussions about how your school community will successfully recycle.
• Utilize after school groups to collect recycling materials for community service hours.
• Make announcements on the school news that encourage good recycling behaviors throughout the school.

What goes in the recycling bins?

• Mixed paper (except glossy paper used in products such as magazines)
• Cardboard
• Plastics #1, #2, and #5
• Aluminum and tin cans

Recycling Posters

Schools may print additional copies of the flyer from the pdf version of the recycling poster.   Additional full-size 18x24” posters can be ordered through TMPC (must be on FCPS network or logged in via VPN).  Order additional Reduce, Reuse, Recycle posters here.

What happens to our recycling and waste?

Recycled materials from FCPS are sent to the Republic Services Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to be sorted and sold to companies that will recycle these materials into new products. Learn about what happens in the MRF in the video below featuring Republic’s MRF in Seattle.

Trash collected from FCPS is taken to the I-66 or I-95 transfer stations, where it is loaded on a truck to be taken to Covanta Fairfax, a waste-to-energy plant in Lorton. At Covanta, the waste is burned to generate electricity. Learn more about how waste from FCPS is used to generate electricity in the videos below.

Recycling and Waste Data

Discover how much recycling and waste is generated by each school on the Recycling Dashboard.