Two Riverview schools honored by the King County Green Schools Program
Thursday, June 25, 2009 12:36The schools completed level one of the program by initiating or improving recycling practices and engaging in waste reduction strategies such as decreasing paper use.
The King County Green Schools Program, which has helped more than 250 schools cut waste and save resources since its inception in 2003, provides hands-on assistance, recycling containers and stickers, and the support that schools need to set up and maintain effective, long-lasting conservation practices. “Each of the schools has involved its whole school community – students, teachers, administrators – in reducing garbage, increasing recycling, and improving other conservation practices,” said Dale Alekel, King County Green Schools Program manager. “When classes resume in September, our program will be there to help the schools complete level two,” she said.
Level two of the program includes energy conservation plus an additional conservation category that each school selects from the following list: environmental education, environmental purchasing, green building, hazardous materials management, litter reduction, or transportation choices. Schools that go on to the third and final level of the program add water conservation, plus an additional selection from the list above.
Alekel said many participating schools and districts report cuts in operating expenses after reducing garbage disposal costs by setting up successful waste reduction and recycling practices and from reducing energy and water use.
The two Riverview schools that completed level one of the King County Green Schools Program are Eagle Rock K-5 Multi-Age Program and Carnation Elementary School.
