Schools from 34 King County cities and unincorporated areas are reducing waste and recycling, conserving resources, and cutting costs with help from the King County Green Schools Program. The program has served a growing number of schools each year – from 100 schools in 2010 to 251 schools as of February 2017.

“We have recognized eight schools for their Green School achievements,” Dale Alekel, Green Schools Program manager, said. “Participating schools are initiating or improving sustainable practices and encouraging students and employees to engage in actions to reduce paper use, reduce food waste, conserve energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.”

At Kenmore Elementary School in the Northshore School District, the Green Team organized a waste audit and used the data to encourage waste reduction and recycling. Green Team members worked with staff to start a composting program and to switch the school’s lunch trays from disposable polystyrene to reusable plastic trays. The school distributed fliers for students to take home to inform parents how to reduce food waste. The school’s weekly newsletter included an “Eco Tips” column, and a video was created to illustrate how materials should be sorted.