Rondout Elementary School is a small school with big plans– get to zero waste. With washable dishes in the lunchroom and recycling well-established throughout the building, the school was already well on its way. They got a whole lot closer to that goal this past April with the launch of their zero waste lunchroom. Rondout […]
LaSalle digs into onsite composting and ...
LaSalle Language Academy students gathered around desks waiting for their chance to dig through containers of compost filled with food scraps, worms, and other soil critters. These students had just learned how composting can help their school reduce waste and help prevent climate change. Then they saw how the decomposition process works with their own […]
Zero Waste Schools now in Lake County
“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 […]
Lincoln School brings milk carton recycl...
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 Launches Zero Waste Schools ...
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 […]
Small Change Leads to Big Waste Reductio...
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 […]
Fox Valley Zero Waste Schools event spar...
On Nov. 28, 35 educators, school administrators, district staff, parents, and county recycling agency representatives gathered at the beautiful Onion Pub & Brewery in Lake Barrington for a meeting that sparked conversations and connections around zero waste initiatives in Fox Valley area schools and beyond. The event began with a presentation by Susan Casey, Zero […]
Southside Occupational Academy: Honored ...
In May, the U.S. Department of Education honored 58 schools across the country as Green Ribbon Schools. The award recognizes schools, districts, and institutions of higher education that reduce environmental impact and costs; improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and provide environmental education. This year Southside Occupational Academy High School (SOA), […]
Portage Park Elementary School launches ...
Portage Park Elementary School, a Chicago Public School located in the Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago, began 2018 with a goal of recycling more and reducing landfill waste. Teacher Mary Hobaugh reached out to Seven Generations Ahead’s Susan Casey for guidance on starting a recycling program at the school. The plan was to start with classroom […]
OPRFHS students conduct waste audit
The Oak Park and River Forest High School Environmental Club conducted a waste audit of the student cafeterias in late January. Seven Generations Ahead’s Zero Waste Schools Program Manager Susan Casey provided on-site support and guidance for the audit. The group of seven students, along with the club’s faculty adviser, collected trash and recycling bins […]