Scenic Hill Elementary first to reach top level of King County Green Schools Program

Level Three is the top rung of the Green Schools Program’s systematic waste reduction and resource conservation strategy which includes hands-on assistance, recycling containers and stickers, and the support needed to set up and maintain effective conservation efforts for individual schools and school districts of all sizes.

The leadership of custodian Ginger Ott is one key to success at Scenic Hill. Ott has engaged students and staff by placing a suggestion box for conservation practices in the lunchroom and then regularly meeting with the student Green Team to review the received suggestions.

Another key to success is the involvement of students who have created paper reuse bins for classrooms and made posters to promote recycling, energy conservation and water conservation. Student volunteers assist younger students to recycle in the lunchroom and to compost food scraps. They also conduct classroom spot checks to make sure lights are turned off when classrooms are empty.

“The district is very proud of Scenic Hill’s students and staff, in particular the student Green Team and custodian Ginger Ott,” said Beth Gilbertson, environmental services supervisor, Kent School District. “Together they have accomplished so much and they’re a great example for other schools in the district.”

“Working with the King County Green Schools Program has been a positive experience,” Gilbertson said. “The program is well organized, seamless and easy to follow. We are encouraging all of our schools to participate in the program.”

The school’s eco-accomplishments don’t just benefit the Earth; they’re benefiting the Kent School District’s budget, too.

Scenic Hill is saving nearly $200 per month on its waste disposal after increasing its recycling rate from 12 percent to 48 percent, increasing the size of its outdoor recycling container and decreasing garbage collection frequency. During the 2009-10 school year, Scenic Hill reduced energy consumption by 17 percent and saved approximately $3,600 in energy costs, when compared to 2008-09.

In addition to setting up effective recycling programs and achieving a recycling rate of 40 percent or higher, Level One schools complete at least one paper reduction practice, one lunch waste reduction practice and one practice involving durable products.

Level Two schools complete an additional waste reduction or recycling practice plus the energy conservation criteria, while Level Three schools must maintain all the previous practices, add another waste reduction or recycling practice and meet prescribed water conservation criteria.

Scenic Hill students completed Level Three by making weekly “water smarts” video announcements to promote water conservation facts, and by implementing an “Every Drip Counts” program to inspect for leaks.

Participation in the Green Schools Program has grown each year, with 114 schools and nine school districts participating in 2010-11. Details are available at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenschools/index.asp.

Learn more about Scenic Hill’s accomplishments at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/greenschools/scenic-hill-elementary.asp.

Related information

Green Schools Success Stories

Green Schools Program

King County Solid Waste