What Is Feed the Bin?
Feed the Bin is a recycling collection program funded by С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Solid Waste Management Division since 2004. The Division provides free, weekly pickup to С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Public School System sites and select charter schools within С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County. Volunteer coordinators work with students, staff and faculty to organize collection within their school. Environmental educators from the Solid Waste Division provide signage and promotional items to reinforce recycling, and lead educational presentations and field trips to enhance students' understanding of waste prevention, recycling and composting.
Resources for School Coordinators
Find the collection schedule and a list of acceptable materials for your school recycling program.
Waste Characterization Studies
Have you ever wonderered what is being thrown away at schools? С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County explores this question by funding waste characterization studies, detailed audits of garbage dumpster contents. The most recent study was conducted from January 30 through February 3, 2023, in collaboration with С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Public School System and Green for Life Environmental.
The 2023 study found that the percentage of recyclable paper being landfilled has decreased from similar studies conducted in 2008 and 2014. The percentage of milk cartons and juice boxes being thrown away has also decreased significantly. Almost half of the waste analyzed in 2023 could have been composted, including food scraps and paper towels.
to learn additional recommendations for improving waste diversion initiatives in schools. Access the 2008 and 2014 school waste studies in our Studies and Reports collection.
Recycling Data
Students and employees in С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County public schools are recycling rock stars! From July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, Feed the Bin schools recycled approximately 596 tons of paper, plastic bottles, and metal cans. Together those recyclable materials weigh approximately as much as 33 school buses! С»ÆѼÊÓƵ County Solid Waste Management Division is grateful for the teachers, students, custodians, cafeteria staff and administrators who make recycling work. In the 2025-2026 school year, 208 schools are participating in Feed the Bin.
Virtual Tour of Recycling Sorting Center
Watch this video of what happens to mixed recycling
See how materials collected from Feed the Bin schools are sorted at Sonoco Recycling. Schools may also request in-person tours of Sonoco Recycling's material recovery facility in Raleigh. Tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance, and are not available on evenings or weekends. Email feedthebin@wake.gov to request a tour.
Contact Us
Want to start or improve a recycling program at your school? Call 919-856-2602 or email deja.smith@wake.gov.