“I was shocked at how much food was getting thrown away and how much trash was being generated during the lunch period,” Braeside School parent Philippa Dejmal remarked. “Since the start of Zero Waste at Braeside, the students are learning how to make better choices and are learning that a small action can bring about […]

Keeping a zero waste program going requires coordination and support that can be challenging for schools, especially when there isn’t more than one champion. Lincoln Elementary School in Oak Park District 97 started commercial composting and recycling in the lunchroom in the 2013-2014 school year, but for various reasons, the program didn’t stick. After years of […]

Nettelhorst Elementary School, a Chicago Public School located in the Lakeview neighborhood, launched a zero waste program in their lunchroom at the start of 2019. The program reduces waste through liquid diversion, recycling, tray-stacking, and a share table. It has been in the works since the pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school reached out to Seven Generations […]

If you’ve ever eaten in a school cafeteria, you have probably encountered a spork packet. It’s a little plastic bag that typically comes with a combo spoon-fork utensil, a straw, and a tiny folded napkin, all in one convenient packet. It is ready for a student to grab and have everything they need– or don’t […]