Green Up Our Schools

Lincoln Elementary

Green Up Our Schools member since 2009

During the 3 years of the program, each school creates their own "green" plan to recycle more and waste less.

View photos of all the green activities in action.


Waste Reduction Projects Each school must complete a minimum of two waste reduction projects per year. Click on each title to view a more detailed description.

Year 1
Student Green Team Formed a group of eco-minded students to take on the responsibility of the recycling program and carry out green activities. (Learn more.)	2009-2010
Recycling Program Started a recycling program for the school, with recycling bins in every classroom & all the common areas. (Learn more.)	2009-2010
Reusable Water Bottle Fundraiser Sold reusable stainless steel water bottles to discourage the use of plastic bottles. (Learn more.)	2009-2010
Community Recycling One day a week, parents & community members are encouraged to bring in recyclable materials from home. The extra materials in the school recycling bin helps to generate more revenue and raise awareness. (Learn more.)	2009-2010
Zero Waste Lunch Campaign Taught students how to bring a lunch from home without any disposable packaging. Created a reward system for kids who brought food in reusable containers with no disposable packaging. (Learn more.)	2009-2010
Year 2
Zero Waste Classroom Party Kits Created Zero Waste Classroom Party Kits, a set of reusable dishes designed to eliminate the need for disposable plates, cups, and utensils during class festivities. (Learn more.)	2010-2011
Lunch Tray Recycling Created a system for recycling clean cardboard lunch trays. (Learn more.)	2010-2011
Reusable Dishes for Staff Lounge Placed a set of reusable bowls, plates, cups, and silverware in the staff lounge to reduce the waste created by disposables. (Learn more.)	2010-2011
Lunch Menu Changes Petitioned the school district to change school lunches to a healthier, more appealing option. Goal was to reduce food waste by serving food kids were more likely to eat. (Learn more.)	2010-2011
Year 3
Scratch Paper Reuse Boxes Scratch paper reuse boxes are for paper that had only been used on one side. Placed in every classroom, they help promote paper conservation and save costs for the school. (Learn more.)	2011-2012
Commercial Composting Commercial composting is a service provided to the school by an outside company, similar to recycling. Hundreds of pounds of food & paper waste are hauled to a facility that processes it back into soil. The weekly collection system can handle the full volume of organic waste that comes out of the lunchroom, bathrooms, and classrooms. (Learn more.)	2011-2012

Waste Assessment Results

Every school in the program performs at least one waste assessment every year. This activity helps to show progress made and areas that still need improvement.

Percentage of Trash categorized as Recyclable
(Lower is better!)*

65%

47%

29%

19%

25%

2009
(Spring)

2010
(Spring)

2010
(Fall)

2011
(Spring)

2011
(Fall)

Year

*The presence of recyclable materials in the trash means students & teachers are not correctly sorting items they throw away. The lower the percentage, the more successful the recycling program.


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I think you guys are fabulous. You keep our green program moving, otherwise it would be dead in the water.