Waste reduction and recycling are the focus of Level One of the King County Green Schools Program. Schools and districts receive recognition after meeting Level One requirements and completing the Level One recognition form. See How it works for more information about the program.

Both waste reduction and recycling are important. By rethinking, reducing, reusing and recycling the products it uses, schools can reduce:

• Depletion of natural resources such as trees, energy, water, metals, and oil which are used to make new products.
• Pollution caused by mining, manufacture, transportation, and disposal of products.
• Landfill gas emissions.
• Garbage disposal costs.

See the Waste Reduction and Recycling – Best Practices Guide for strategies and resources to help educate students and staff, to reduce waste, and to set up and maintain an effective recycling program. There is one guide for schools and another for school districts.

Best practices, resources, and recognition criteria

• Waste Reduction and Recycling - Best Practices Guide for Schools Download PDF 350 K
• Recognition form for schools: Level One - Waste Reduction & Recycling
• IMPORTANT: If you are unable to complete this form in one sitting, click the "Save" button in the bottom right of the form. You will receive an email with a link to your form so you can return to the form and continue filling it out. After you complete the form, hit the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form.
• Waste Reduction and Recycling - Level One Best Practices Guide for School Districts Download MS Word document , 300 K
• Waste reduction toolkit
• Reducing food waste in schools
• Waste reduction resources
• Recycling toolkit
• Recycling resources