What Is Feed the Bin?
Feed the Bin is a recycling collection program funded by Wake County Solid Waste Management Division. The Division provides free, weekly pickup to Wake County Public School System sites and select charter schools within Wake 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 offer presentations and field trips upon request.
Resources for School Coordinators
Find planning sheets and other tools to start or continue recycling at your school.
Recycling Data
Sonoco Recycling has collected 262.7 tons of paper, metal cans and plastic bottles from 203 schools since July 13, 2022. Together those recyclable materials weigh approximately as much as 14 school buses! The Wake County Solid Waste Management Division appreciates all the students, teachers, custodians, cafeteria employees and administrators are making recycling collection possible this school year.
Presentations and Field Trips
The Wake County Solid Waste Management Division offers free presentations to educate K-12 students about composting, landfills, recycling, and solid waste prevention. In addition to hands-on, in-person presentations, the Division's outreach group leads virtual presentations that are designed for learners in grades 6 - 12. Email the outreach team at recycling@wakegov.com to request a presentation.
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 recycling@wakegov.com 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@wakegov.com.