San Francisco was the first city in the world to put green bins in school cafeterias. Now, more than 85% of city schools participate in SF Environment’s Food to Flowers! Lunchroom Composting Program, which teaches kids that composting and recycling help protect nature and the environment. Every year, SF Environment presents an Environmental Excellence Award to four local schools that have excelled with composting and recycling at school.
At the School Award Ceremony at City Hall on May 13, SF Environment honored Guadalupe Elementary, Life Learning Academy, Rooftop Elementary, St. Vincent de Paul School. SF Environment’s kids’ mascot Phoebe the Phoenix made a special appearance to congratulate the students.
Guadalupe Elementary
Guadalupe Elementary knows how to set a great example when it comes to zero waste. In addition to recycling and composting, they have dedicated lunchroom staff to collect soft plastics while students are eating. Their Clean Green Team is a group of students who help other students to sort their compostables, recyclables, and trash, but they also take the time to teach them what goes where. Not only was Guadalupe Elementary was one of the earliest schools to begin composting in the cafeteria way back in 2005, and they have consistently been one of the best. Guadalupe puts 81% of all their waste into the blue or green bins, making them one of the top composting and recycling schools in the district.
Life Learning Academy
Many people who have visited Life Learning Academy know that one of the true treasures of Treasure Island is the academy’s fantastic school garden! Complete with a brand new beehive, students learn scientific observation and comprehensive thinking at the garden through hands-on projects. Students harvest what they grow and provide free, fresh produce to local Treasure Island families. They also sell plants at farmer’s markets where they teach residents about designing their own nutritious gardens.
Rooftop Elementary
Rooftop’s teachers, student Rot Squad, parents, and custodians have worked very hard over the years to increase composting and recycling at school so they could send less trash to the landfill. Along with their zero waste efforts, Rooftop Elementary has a wonderful school garden where students can eat lunch and enjoy the peacefulness of nature.
St. Vincent De Paul School
Last year St. Vincent De Paul launched SF Environment’s Food to Flowers! lunchroom composting program. Through the leadership of Ms. Grube and a group of inspired 4th graders, St. Vincent de Paul increased the number of Compost Monitors at their school from 8 students to 67 students – all in just one year! Not only that, but they also put together a new Eco Committee that meets every month to address environmental issues on campus. Last year the Eco Committee held their first ever Walk and Roll to school week. This year they expanded the program to happen every first Friday of the month when more than 60 students walk, bike, scooter, and carpool to school.