We are excited to honor schools that have achieved sustainability goals and earned Green School program benchmark badges which highlight their commitment to sustainable practices and their efforts to help reduce waste and care for the environment. 

Congrats to Mosaic Montessori in Carnation for earning the School Yard Stewardship badge. This recognition honors their commitment to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility through engaging workshops, hands-on activities like gardening, and weaving sustainability into the curriculum. Their dedication shines through student-led projects, sustainably focused newsletters, and celebrations of their green achievements. Their awesome work is inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards!  

Park Orchard Elementary in Kent has been recognized with the Waste Reduction badge for their outstanding commitment to sustainability. Their student team meets monthly to lead sustainability projects and educate peers during school assemblies. The school also celebrates “Students of the Week” who go above and beyond in keeping recycling clean, while student mentors help younger classmates learn proper composting, recycling, and waste disposal.   

Pacific Cascade Middle School is making a great impact on the environment, earning multiple badges for Waste Reduction, Organics Collection, Recycling Collection, Schoolyard Stewardship, and Water Conservation. Their student Green Team plays a key role in monitoring the school’s organics and recycling programs, ensuring waste is properly sorted and diverted from landfills. Every day, they help compost cafeteria food scraps, tend to the school garden through classwork and clubs, and engage in water conservation lessons to make a lasting impact.  

Evergreen School in Shoreline has achieved the Recycling Collection badge. Students worked hard to learn how to properly sort trash, recycling and compost to reduce waste. To support this initiative the school set up waste sort stations in common areas with stickers and signs to help remind students and staff what goes in each bin. Taking their sustainable efforts even further, a fifth grade class presented to their peers on the importance of recycling and sorting waste–showing how small actions can make a great impact!    

Stay tuned as we continue to highlight and celebrate more schools earning badges throughout the year—each showcasing what amazing Green School projects can be achieved.  

Receive recognition for your school through King County Green Schools program for sustainability benchmarks you complete as soon as you meet the criteria – no need to wait until Spring to apply!    

The 2024-25 benchmarks are below and can be applied for in any order:    

Earth Month is this April, but it’s never too early to start planning on how to celebrate. Earth Month is a time to honor our planet and explore ways to make a positive impact. From climate events and workshops to community clean-ups, there are countless eco-friendly activities to get involved in or host within your own school. Don’t forget, Earth Day falls on April 22! It’s the perfect opportunity to engage students in meaningful, sustainable activities.   

Here are some ideas to help you get started:  

Looking for ways to strengthen and support the Green Schools program at your school?  Explore these opportunities to enhance your school’s sustainability efforts and make a greater impact:  

• King County Green Schools waste sort signs and stickers:  Review the available signs and stickers and let your program representative know what would be most helpful for your school or submit a support request form here. 

• King County WaterWorks Grant Program: Schools and educational institutions are eligible to apply for grant funding to improve water quality within King County’s Waste Water Treatment Division’s service area (click here for a map of WTD’s service area). Eligible projects include education, community engagement, outreach, pollution prevention, raingardens, cisterns, habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and more. The next grant cycle will begin in early fall 2025, applications can be submitted in the fall with grant awards in 2026. Details on the grant timeline with be posted this spring, please sign up for email alerts here to receive updates.  

• Zero Waste WA will be offering interested schools in King County free bulk milk dispensers and refill stations this year. If you’re interested in learning more about bulk milk or water bottle refill stations, please contact Stephanie Lecovin at steph@zerowastewashington.org or 206-604-5239.   

• Is your school already using bulk milk dispensers or interested in learning more about switching away from milk cartons? Join Zero Waste WA’s monthly bulk milk learning cohort where we share what’s working, what’s not and work collectively on creating a successful model for bulk milk throughout King County and beyond. The cohort meets every other month on Zoom. Please contact Stephanie Lecovin at steph@zerowastewashington.org or 206-604-5239.