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King County Green Schools program success story: Parkwood Elementary School

Success story: Parkwood Elementary School

School District: Shoreline
School Location: Shoreline
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: August 2013

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

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

  • Parkwood Elementary School increased its recycling rate from 23 percent to 35 percent.
  • The school began collecting recyclable materials in every classroom and office.
  • Recycling stickers listing what can and can’t be recycled were placed on all classroom and office recycling containers.
  • Three-dimensional posters were created to help students properly sort recyclable materials.
  • Parkwood reduced waste in the lunchroom by using unwrapped utensils, bulk dispensers and durable trays.
  • To reduce paper use, staff communicated with parents through email rather than paper when possible.
  • Green Team members created and placed G.O.O.S. (Good on One Side) boxes in each classroom and the library to collect paper used on one side, allowing students and staff to reduce waste by using paper more efficiently.
  • Sixth-grade students collected Capri Sun pouches and sent them to Terra Cycle, a company that recycles the pouches, and announced the number they recycled through school wide announcements.
  • Green Team members created a reuse station for office supplies.
  • The school’s Green Team conducted a waste audit to track contamination and to remind students and staff how to properly sort recyclable materials.
  • Parkwood Elementary School received King County’s waste reduction and recycling assembly to help educate and inspire students and staff.
  • Green Team students promoted the school’s waste reduction and recycling practices through monthly announcements to the school community.
  • In 2014, Green Team students presented information on waste reduction and recycling practices to each classroom.
  • Parents and staff provided a waste reduction and recycling training for families during a PTA meeting.

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

Sheryl Lundahl, teacher
sheryl.lundahl@shorelineschools.org
King County Solid Waste Division mission: Waste Prevention, Resource Recovery, Waste Disposal

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