GreenStar Schools

Baywood Changemakers - Post Waste Assessment

June 9 2020

"We now hold monthly Green team meetings for students at lunch-time for problem-solving, to celebrate successes, and to continue building momentum." - Deb Robert, Assistant Principal

Summary

After Winter Break, Green Team Teachers held monthly Green team meetings for students at lunch-time for problem-solving, to celebrate successes, and to continue building momentum.

The school began recognizing outstanding students each week as "Super Sorters" during our weekly announcements.

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, a formal post-waste assessment was not officially carried out at this site, so diversion estimates will be based on similar school diversion totals in the same district and adjusted for the number of students.

Considering the success of new waste diversion habits, the school is excited to incorporate the following into future plans: Connect zero waste efforts to design challenges in the Dream Lab, our makerspace, which is open to classrooms and open at lunch-recess. Some project ideas we have are - making recycled paper, creating designs and art using only recycled materials, creating model sustainable homes and cities, etc. We also hope to eventually compost at our school site and to bring more outdoor education to the school to make the Changemaker efforts really come alive! 

Metrics

Food waste, compostable trays and liquids

8800 Pounds of Compostables Diverted from School Waste Stream between October 21st 2019 and March 13th 2020
Results: 84,983 lbs CO2e emmissions avoided

Recycling diverted from the landfill at lunch - milk cartons, plastic bottles, paperboard

1173 Gallons of Mixed recycling between October 20th 2019 and March 13th 2020
Results: 399 lbs CO2e emmissions avoided

Do you want to do this project with your class?