BUSD Green Star Schools
Help your school save natural resources, save money, AND have fun! The BUSD Green Star Schools Program is helping Berkeley schools to reduce waste through education and action on all levels - from lunchtime monitors to classroom lesson plans to easy-to-read signs. This page will help Green Teams with resources and links for how to promote sustainability as a community practice and teach the 4 R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot).
>FOR PARENTS
Resources for Green Team parents, including a Parent Toolkit, a flyer to educate parents about waste-free lunches and sustainability, how to reduce waste at PTA events and parties, and more.
>FOR TEACHERS
Resources for Green Team teachers, including lesson plans, student skits and other material for classroom presentations or assemblies, guidelines for establishing classroom jobs and lunchtime waste monitors, and information on the Green Classroom Award.
>FOR CUSTODIANS
Information and resources for Green Team custodians, including a checklist for setting up and managing school waste systems, troubleshooting, and who to contact for service issues.
RESOURCES
Contact information, field trip information, funding and grant opportunities, local recycling and refuse resources, tips for greening your school events, and links to other resources available on our site.
BUSD Sustainability Coming Soon!
Berkeley Unified's sustainability page about programs in Berkeley schools - cooking and gardening, energy and solar, waste reduction, and more.
BUSD School Board Resolution to Become a Priority Partner with Stopwaste.org
SIGNS
Downloadable PDF/JPG and Adobe Illustrator copies of Landfill, Compost, Paper Towel Compost, Mixed Paper, and Bottles signs for labeling waste containers.
Download this checklist for an overview of systems and infrastructure for how waste is managed at BUSD schools in classrooms, cafeterias, bathrooms, and outdoor areas.
VIDEO
Show this video - made by Berkeley High students - in your classroom, at your PTA meeting, or at an assembly to teach everyone about why it's important to reduce waste and how to sort properly at school.
ABOUT THE GREEN STAR SCHOOLS PROGRAM
In 2012, the Green Schools Initiative and Berkeley Unified School District launched the Green Star Schools Program at eight schools to reduce waste, with support from the Altamont Education Advisory Board, Clif Bar Family Foundation, and others. Many schools enthusiastically rolled out the program, implementing such projects as classroom composting, lunchtime monitors, and schoolwide assemblies to teach students about the 4 R's.
In June 2013, the BUSD School Board adopted a resolution setting a goal of reducing the amount of recyclable and compostable material sent to landfills to less than 10% by 2020. During the 2013-14 school year, all schools, childcare centers, and the Adult School have enrolled in the program to reduce waste. Reaching this goal can:
- Save the district up to $100,000 per year in reduced hauling fees
- Reduce pollution and climate change
- Engage students in hands-on learning about the environment and sustainability.
CONTACTS
Green Star Schools Team
Deborah Moore, Green Schools Initiative Executive Director: deborah(at)greenschools(dot)net, (510) 525-1026
Susan Silber, Green Star Schools Project Coordinator: susan(at)greenschools(dot)net, (415) 806-8955
BUSD Recycling Coordinator
Loren Nakamura, lorennakamura(at)berkeley(dot)net, Plant Operations (510) 644-6858, Property Management (510) 644-8603
City of Berkeley Recycling Manager
Andrew Schneider, aschneider(at)cityofberkeley(dot)info, (510) 981-6357