School District: Kent
School Location: Renton
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: September 2011

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in March 2012
Level Two of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2013

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

• Meeker Middle School increased its recycling rate from 36 percent in 2011 to 50 percent by 2013.
• Thanks to the school’s recycling and waste reduction successes, garbage collection service was reduced.
• Belinda Lipp, head custodian, supported the school’s recycling efforts by assisting with lunchtime recycling and monitoring outdoor collection containers.
• As part of the district’s initiative to reduce waste, plastic-wrapped utensils, napkins and straws were replaced with loose utensils and napkins available in sanitary bulk dispensers. Plastic drinking straws were eliminated in the lunchroom.
• To increase recycling, classroom recycling bins were changed from paper-only bins to comingled collection bins, and recycling containers were placed in the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Stickers listing what can and can’t be recycled are on all school recycling containers.

• To promote recycling, the student Green Team worked on the following efforts:
  • Created recycling videos to share with the entire school.
  • Designed t-shirts to help Green Team members stand out in the lunchroom as they monitor recycling stations and help students make choices about what can and can’t be recycled.
  • Created a Green Team mascot, “Ribbit the Frog,” to encourage students to recycle. Using a King County mini-grant, the Green Team purchased a frog suit for a Green Team member to wear during lunches and school events.
  • Initiated competitions between lunches to support recycling efforts. The team created large thermometer posters that measure the amount of recyclable materials generated at each lunch in feet. The winning lunch period earns the privilege of moving straight into the food line instead of being called on by table.
  • Hosted a lunchroom game twice each week in which student participants were asked to decide if each collected material is garbage or recyclable. Winners received a small prize.
  • Received King County’s Let’s Talk Trash classroom workshops to educate and inspire the students and staff.
• The school reduced its paper use by providing classroom sets of textbooks and laptops for students to complete digital assignments. Each classroom also used a paper reuse box for paper that had only been used on one side.
• To decrease compostable waste going to the landfill, the school composted grass by leaving grass clippings on the lawn and by composting leaves and other yard waste on site.
• Meeker Middle School displayed its Green School banner in the lunchroom to recognize and promote their waste reduction efforts.

Energy conservation (level two)

• To promote energy conservation, the student Green Team
  • Placed “Turn off the Lights” stickers next to all light switches.
  • Laminated and placed “Turn off Electronic Equipment” signs in all classrooms.
  • Shared energy conservation tips during morning and staff meeting announcements.
  • Created two videos instructing staff and students on how best to conserve energy.
• To conserve energy, Kent School District’s software shut down non-administrator computers automatically in the evening.
• Meeker Middle School set thermostats between 68 and 70 degrees and encouraged staff to leave the settings alone.

Award

• The leadership class at Meeker Middle School received a King County Earth Hero at School award in April 2012.

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

Jeff Pelzel, principal
Jeffrey.Pelzel@kent.k12.wa.us

Travis Wood, teacher
Travis.Wood@kent.k12.wa.us

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