School District: Kent
School Location: Covington
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: December 2011

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in April 2012

Waste reduction and recycling

• The recycling rate at Cedar Valley Elementary has increased from 22 percent in December 2011 to 40 percent in April 2012. As a result, Cedar Valley reduced its garbage collection frequency from twice per week to once per week.
• To achieve its recycling rate increase, the school improved classroom recycling and initiated lunch time recycling of milk cartons.
• Students were taught to empty milk cartons and place them in recycling containers.
• Doug Reed, custodian, supports the school’s improved recycling efforts by assisting with lunch time milk carton recycling and monitoring outdoor collection containers.
• Cedar Valley regularly promotes the importance of the school’s waste reduction and recycling practices to everyone in the school community through student announcements, staff bulletins, and family newsletters.
• A recycling container was placed in the staff room, and staff is encouraged to reduce waste and recycle.
• To reduce paper use, staff bulletins are sent electronically, and staff is asked to save them electronically rather than print them, and student discipline forms are sent to parents electronically.

For more information about the school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:

Chad Golden, principal
chad.golden@kent.k12.wa.us

Beth Gilbertson, environmental services supervisor, Kent School District
Beth.Gilbertson@kent.k12.wa.us