Environmental Health and Safety
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RECYCLING

All materials included in the Mecklenburg County recycling program can be deposited in regular recycling bins.  There is no need to separate cans, bottles, and paper for recycling. 

Recycled materials will be deposited together in the recycling dumpster for pick-up.  Items that may be included in your recycling bins are:  mixed paper; junk mail; empty drink containers including cans, milk cartons, juice boxes and bottles; plastic containers; rigid plastics like toys and buckets; empty aerosol cans;  metal food cans, magazines and phone books and more.  Posters are being published for every classroom that describe what may and may not be placed in recycling bins. 

It is important to be aware that certain waste items may not be recycled and could result in contaminating your recycling bins or dumpster.  A contaminated load of recycled material may be treated and disposed of as trash depending on the volume of contamination.

Please only deposit milk or other drink containers WITHOUT beverages still inside.  Drink containers must be empty!

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT​

The purpose of the CMS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is to control pests safely, effectively and reduce exposure of school children and school occupants to pesticides.  Integrated Pest Management is a comprehensive approach to pest management that combines biological, physical, chemical, and cultural tactics to prevent and solve pest problems.  The emphasis of IPM is on pest prevention. CMS practices IPM on a district-wide basis.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING

The CMS environmental management system encourages the use of environmentally sustainable products (ESP) and services.  By including environmental considerations in purchasing decisions, the district may reduce its environmental footprint and promote practices that improve human health, conserve natural resources, and reward environmentally conscious vendors.

District personnel is encouraged to actively seek out environmentally preferable products and services for use in day-to-day operations when quality, performance, price, and functionality are comparable to their non-environmentally preferable counterparts. 

WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS?

Environmentally sustainable products and services have less negative effects on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. Potential comparisons may consider the environmental cost of the acquisition of raw materials, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal. 

STORM WATER

Storm water is an important facet of our environment. Storm water meanders into local streams and rivers in the storm water drainage system. Unlike sewer waters, storm waters are not treated. Runoff from land modified by human activities can harm surface water resources in several ways including changing natural hydrologic patterns, elevating pollutant concentrations and heating stream temperatures. Storm water runoff may contain or mobilize high levels of contaminants, such as sediment, suspended solids, nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, oxygen demanding substances, and floatables.

Mountain Island Lake 

CMS JOINS WITH COUNTY AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR STORMWATER PERMIT ACTION
Recognizing the importance of stormwater management, CMS has joined with Mecklenburg County and the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) joint permit. The NPDES joint permit covers stormwater discharge directly to creeks and lakes. CMS is teaming to protect our region's surface waters through joint permit activities.
 
CMS staff receives stormwater training assisting in both operations and management controls; participates in inspecting and labeling stormwater drains; implements stormwater pollution prevention plans including spill response procedures, manages stormwater runoff at construction sites and is working with Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services to distribute stormwater-related information through schools and volunteer opportunities.
P.O. Box 30035
Charlotte, NC 28230-0035
Phone: 980-343-3000
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