Our synagogue routinely threw away plastic and paper and – considering the number of events going on each week – the quantities were huge. Although our township had free recycling for residents, there was no such service for businesses, who are required to use a private hauler.

Recognizing the need to make our synagogue greener, one Men’s Club member took it on himself to create an ongoing effort starting with the formation of a committee. The committee consisted of just three members, but they quickly focused on their agenda and made a plan of action.

Their first step was to set-up meetings with the Executive Director, the Director of Congregational Learning and the Preschool Director to get them on board with a two-part plan:
• to purchase recycling bins for paper and plastic to be strategically located throughout the school wing, administrative wing, kitchen and auditorium.
• to inform the congregants, religious school & preschool parents, children and teachers, professional and lay leadership, custodial staff, and party caterers about the changes through a combination of emails, signage and classroom visits

The second step involved researching costs. The Men’s Club would compare pricing on various types of receptacles from a combination of internet and “bricks and mortar” stores and determine any printing costs. They would also plan an education campaign t promote recycling. The Executive Director would research various options for acquiring additional large bins for the loading dock and find the best pricing for removal of the recyclables from both the current vendor and it’s competitors.

While Men’s Club completed their plan and budget, the Executive Director discovered that synagogue member worked for one of the waste management/recycling companies under consideration. With some assistance from the congregant he negotiated a contract for both the recycling and trash removal and the insertion of a large recycling bin for the loading dock. In addition, the company offered comingled recycling so we would not have to separate the various types: paper, plastic, metal, etc.

Emails were sent to all professional staff, teachers, lay leaders, congregants, religious school and preschool parents. Each grouping received a letter directed to their particular interests/needs. The Executive Director met with the custodial staff to go over the changes.

Once the receptacles and outdoor bins were delivered, the Men’s Club printed signs and posters for the building and flyers for the children to take home to their parents to help encourage recycling. Committee members visited the preschool and religious school classes to “talk up” the importance of recycling, a second email was sent to the congregation and photos were submitted to the synagogue monthly bulletin.

The committee now has a meeting setup with the Executive Director to discuss the effectiveness of the program and future plans including a nice “ballot box” type container set on a table at the sanctuary exit so congregants can recycle their Shabbat bulletins. The committee is also considering ways to encourage greater compliance from party caterers.

With a few dedicated volunteers and an executive director who understands the importance of recycling you can make a difference.