School District: Auburn
School Location: Auburn
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: April 2012

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

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

• During 2012-13, Auburn High School increased its recycling rate from 44 percent to 52 percent as a result of a school-wide program that includes recycling containers in every classroom, office space, staff break room, and next to each copier.
• Green Club members ensured that each classroom was properly equipped with a recycling bin, garbage can, recycling signs and posters. Club members also made special cards that were placed on trash cans to remind people about sorting waste.
• The Green Club made and hung posters in the school throughout the year to educate staff and students about recycling and to promote upcoming conservation events.
• The Green Club organized a chip bag collection event and then made reusable products from the collected bags. This activity was a fundraiser for building clean water containment wells in Kenya, and by May 2013, the Green Club had raised $1,800 toward this cause.
• The school improved lunchroom recycling, thanks to efforts from the Green Club and leadership class which monitored lunchroom recycling, made daily announcements and organized a quiz show event.
• The school reduced waste by eliminating the use of paper lunch trays. Instead students began to use smaller handheld paper boats.
• Students in DECA class organized a program to recycle the school’s old electronic equipment.
• To reduce the school’s paper use, the monthly parent newsletter is distributed via e-mail where it was formerly mailed to every parent. The school reported that in addition to reducing waste, this change increased parent to teacher communication.
• Bess Owens, teacher and Green Club leader, sent staff weekly “One Minute” recycling activity emails that included ideas for reducing waste and reminders of how to recycle properly.
• Students coordinated with the City of Auburn and their local recycling hauler to host a school-wide lunch time recycling event. Activities included games such as “tossing the trash basketball”, as well as an information booth and prizes.
• The Green Club participated in the Auburn 2013 Clean Sweep Day, in which they worked with other volunteers on improving landscaping in the downtown Auburn area.

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

Bess Owens, teacher
bowens@auburn.wednet.edu

Scott Weide, resource conservation manager, Auburn School District
sweide@auburn.wednet.edu