Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) implements the Zero Waste Schools-Lake County Program in partnership with the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO). Started in Lake County in the 2018-2019 school year, the program is modeled after SGA’s work with the Chicago Public Schools Commercial Composting & Recycling Program, in which 20 schools divert roughly 85% of lunchroom waste by weight from landfills through commercial composting, recycling, and share tables.
As with the CPS program, the Lake County schools launch commercial composting, recycling, and other waste reduction efforts in their lunchrooms and kitchens. SGA and SWALCO conduct waste audits, provide onsite logistical guidance, and teach all students and staff the How and Why of going for zero waste. Schools divert at least 85% of lunchroom landfill waste while normalizing composting, recycling, and resource conservation for a new generation of student environmental leaders. North Shore Gas and SWALCO fund the project.
Highlights
Rondout Elementary School produces only 0.02 lbs of waste per student, that’s way below the national average of 0.5 lbs per student!
Oak Terrace Elementary School, in North Shore School District 112, went from filling 9 trash bags every day to filling less than 1 full bag per day!
Laura B. Sprague School, an elementary school in Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103, has a landfill diversion rate of 90% after launching the ZWS program.
The Zero Waste Schools Program has been launched at the following schools:
Rondout Elementary School (Rondout School District 72, Lake Forest, IL)
Red Oak Elementary School (North Shore District 112, Highland Park, IL)
Braeside Elementary School (North Shore District 112, Highland Park, IL)
Oak Terrace Elementary School (North Shore School District 112, Highwood, IL)
Northwood Jr. High School at Elm Place (North Shore School District 112, Highwood, IL)
Half Day School (Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103, Lincolnshire, IL)
Daniel Wright Jr. High School (Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103, Lincolnshire, IL)
Laura B. Sprague School (Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103, Lincolnshire, IL)
