WASTE LESS

PLANNING TIPS for "Waste Less" Events and Meetings
Minimize waste to the maximum extent possible upfront by considering the following:
     
 
BEVERAGE PLANNING:

• Reduce the amount of recyclable containers offered.
• Serve drinks from 1-ltr bottles or juices from concentrate using a beverage dispenser. This reduces the amount of plastic and other recyclable material to be recycled.  It is less energy intensive from the front and back end of manufacturing, production and waste management.  It is far more economical, too!
• Use a water crock dispenser as opposed to offering individual plastic bottles.  It can significantly cut down on both plastic and water waste.  It is more economical as well.  The upper campus has an 8-gallon water dispenser that can be used for meetings and events.
• Water can also be served from pitchers!
• If recyclables are to be offered, make available recycling containers to provide opportunities for students/faculty to be actively engaged in the recycling process....as opposed to leaving it up to the waste hauler to deal with our trash.  This encourages individual responsibility and mindfulness of the trash we generate that needs to be managed.
      

FOOD PLANNING:

• Consider serving finger foods. This cuts down on the use of utensils.
• Food suggestions include:  lots of fresh fruit, cheeses, crackers, sandwiches

TABLEWARE SUPPLIES:

Choose paper over plastic cups and plates.  Avoid single use plastic and polystyrene (styrofoam cups). 

•  Switch from plastic disposable tableware to compostable tableware made from renewable resources like corn, sugar and post consumer waste paper (PCW).
  
  If using compostable tableware, ensure that it will be captured and composted! 

DECORATIONS:

• Avoid single use decorations. Consider using washable and reusable tablecloths, serving containers and utensils.
• Design and create decorations that can be used every year.         
  

CUSTODIAL SERVICES:

• Inform the school's custodial staff at the beginning and end of an event about the school's 'waste-less' objectives.  

CONSIDER COMPOSTING:

• We have partnered with Waste Less Living (http://www.wastelessliving.com/ <http://www.wastelessliving.com/> ) on several school events to work towards zero waste.  Waste Less Living offers compostable tableware and composting services.  They deliver the supplies, specially marked receptacles and signage then pick-up the waste for composting after the event.

RECYCLING
Please keep these items away from our roadside, ocean and the landfill.

Our bottles & cans recycling programs are active on both campuses. Please remind your kids to look for the bins if they bring disposable plastic or aluminum containers to school.

Our inkjet, cellphone, laptop and iPod recycling program continues. Bring these items to the Lower Campus school office anytime.


WATER CONSERVATION
Come visit the Environmental Education watershed conservation and beautification project at the Middle School!
  
Join the Green Team! Please contact mailto:susanhoskins@earthlink.net  

This fall we were awarded a district Battle of the Schools enviromental reconition certificate from Los Angles County for our enviromental education,

GREENRAISING EARTH FRIENDLY FUNDRAISING

Help our school raise money by GREENRAISING. Our school will keep 40% opf the sales price on all items ordered from the catalog, and through the website, during the weeks of 2/18/09 through Friday 3/6/09 and visit the website to purchase and raise money for our school!!!!!!!!!