San Jose Area District Launches Major Waste Reduction Program

Union (CA) School District is the first in the area to “go green,” reports the San Jose Mercury News. Union's pilot program, launched in partnership with the city of San Jose, seeks to recycle 70 percent of its waste in recycling bins and composting containers, which will be provided by the city. A team of teachers, students and parents will instruct students in each school on how to separate waste properly at the stations.

The recycling will include all cans, bottles and cardboard, while all waste food and disposable plates, cups and utensils will be composted. The city is subsidizing the program by paying the cost difference between the more expensive compostable disposables and the standard product used before. That is expected to be recouped by savings in garbage hauling charges, the district says.