School District: Federal Way
School Location: Federal Way
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: September 2012

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2013

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

• The school maintains a recycling rate of 56.8 percent.
• In fall 2012, Brigadoon set up a recycling program in its lunchroom.
• In spring 2013, Brigadoon began to collect compostable materials in its lunchroom and staff lounge.
• Head custodian Emmanuel Cortes oversees the collection of recyclable and compostable materials in the lunchroom and is supportive of the school’s conservation efforts.
• Teacher Barbara Kavanaugh leads the Green Team students and regularly attends the district’s Green Team Coalition meetings to share ideas and support other district schools who are working on similar efforts.
• In its lunchroom, Brigadoon encourages students to “take only what you will eat and eat what you take.”
• In 2012-13, Green Team students at Brigadoon
  • Made regular announcements to promote waste reduction and recycling practices.
  • Created “GOOS” (Good on One Side) boxes that were delivered to all intermediate classrooms to reduce paper use.
  • Created three-dimensional posters to help students properly sort recyclable and compostable materials in the lunchroom.
  • Received training and education from the King County Green Schools Program on what materials can be recycled and composted, what happens to recyclable and compostable materials when they leave the school, and why recycling and composting are important.
  • Monitored lunchroom recycling stations wearing King County Green Team aprons to identify themselves as recycling station monitors.
• Parent volunteers help monitor recycling stations in the lunchroom and make announcements about the school’s waste reduction efforts.
• In 2012-13, Brigadoon participated in the King County elementary school assembly and classroom workshops to train staff and students on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and habitat stewardship.

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

Barbara Kavanaugh, teacher
bkavanau@fwps.org

Emmanuel Cortes, head custodian
ecortes@fwps.org