Orange County Public Schools receives grant to boost recycling in high school cafeterias

$3,500 from Florida Beverage Association funds new “bottles only” bins and educational materials across 22 schools.

By Debra Garcia
| 11:15 a.m. May 15, 2025

Orange County Public Schools received a $3,500 grant to install recycling bins and promote recycling in high school cafeterias.

Observer School Zone

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has received a $3,500 grant from the Florida Beverage Association and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America to improve recycling access in its high schools, according to a press release.

The funds will be used to install “bottles only” recycling bins in cafeterias across all 22 OCPS high schools, serving about 61,000 students. OCPS will also create educational materials such as posters, signs, and videos to raise awareness about recycling.

Elizabeth DeWitt, president and CEO of the Florida Beverage Association, said the industry is committed to improving recycling and supporting local youth.

The bins are expected to capture 70,000 plastic bottles annually, helping reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable habits.

David Klawitter, OCPS sustainability manager, said the grant moves the district closer to its goal of diverting 75% of solid waste from landfills by 2030.