School Location: Bellevue
Participated in the Green Schools Program: 2003–2014

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in January 2014

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

• Three Cedars Waldorf School reached a 70 percent recycling rate.
• Waste reduction and recycling practices have been built into the school’s curriculum.
• Recycling containers provided by King County’s Green Schools Program were placed in all classrooms, and students created signs for each container.
• The school started to collect food scraps and other compostable materials by placing County-provided containers in each classroom. Students created signs for each container.
• Students at Three Cedars Waldorf School were responsible for emptying classroom recycling and compostable material bins every day.
• The school expanded its yard waste composting program.
• The school reduced junk mail by unsubscribing from mailing lists.
• Clothing and toy swaps were conducted in 2014. Lockers and the lost and found containers were cleaned out regularly and unclaimed items were sent to Goodwill.
• Students were encouraged to bring reusable bags for lunches.

Energy conservation

• The school conducted a comprehensive energy audit with Puget Sound Energy and completed the following actions.
  • Replaced 260 incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
  • Installed timers for outdoor lights, an energy-efficient dishwasher, an energy-efficient gas furnace, and new energy-efficient baseboard heaters.
  • Unplugged selected equipment in classrooms and offices at the end of each school day.
• In 2003-2004, the school reduced overall energy consumption by 28.3 percent and energy expenses by $1,900.
• The school initiated a carpooling program, complete with mapping to encourage parents and staff to share rides.

Environmental education

• Fifth-grade students participated in a Stream Watch field trip and studied Botany throughout the school year.
• Faculty participated in a salmon identification field trip.
• Students participated in the following field trips and activities.
  • The Kindergarten class conducted daily walks to Wilburton Park.
  • Fourth and fifth-grade students visited Bellevue Botanical Gardens once a week.
  • Students from first through eighth-grade worked in gardening areas on the school property.
  • The sixth-grade took a field trip to Dry Falls at Steamboat Rock State Park.
  • Students from third through eighth-grade participated in field trips to local working farms.

Awards

The school received the Governor’s award for Excellence in Energy Management in 2004.

For more information about this school’s participation in the King County Green Schools Program, contact:

Chris Pressey, facilities manager
cpressey@threecedarswaldorf.org
206-769-7662