School District: Kent
School Location: Kent
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: September 2010

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2011

Waste reduction and recycling

• Pine Tree Elementary increased its recycling rate from 23 percent to 40 percent.  
• The school improved classroom recycling, and initiated can, bottle, and milk carton recycling at both breakfast and lunch.
• School staff placed recycling stickers on classroom and lunchroom recycling containers. The school custodian and kitchen staff help to educate students about the new recycling processes and make sure that collection runs smoothly.
• After meals, students empty their unused milk and other liquids into collection buckets. Student green team helpers assist the students in this process. Recycling at breakfast is an accomplishment given the tight timeframe to eat and clean up before class begins.
• To recycle milk cartons at lunchtime, students from each classroom carry their rinsed out milk cartons to the kitchen in the empty metal lunch trays.
• Students take responsibility for making sure recyclable materials from each classroom are emptied into the blue collection barrels in the central area.
• Pine Tree staff recycle cans and bottles in their lunchroom and support student efforts to improve the school’s waste reduction and recycling practices.
• Green tips are sent out regularly in the school newsletter.
• Staff, students, and parents continue to look for more ways to “go green”.

Comments

“We have been recycling our milk cartons from the classrooms for several months now.  They are doing a great job and it sure makes my job easier picking up the lunch trash.” – Ray Arrington, custodian

“Without a great leader like our Green Schools representative, we would not have gotten this far. She has the patience and persistence to get tasks done. Thank you for all the help. I know that Pine Tree will move on with this program and do great things in the ‘green’ world.” – Ray Arrington, custodian

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

Ray Arrington, custodian
ray.arrington@kent.k12.wa.us

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