Is your city in process of updating its Climate Action Plan? It’s a perfect opportunity to be sure the school section is as robust as possible. The Climate Resilient Schools Coalition is a diverse network of environmental and public health organizations, school districts, student groups, teachers, social justice groups and others working together to advance equitable climate resilience in Massachusetts schools. Under templates, there are Climate Action Resolutions models.
All The Tools Experts Shared To Build Student-led Cafeteria VictoriesÂ
Benefit from what other schools have created on their journeys towards zero waste. Dive into our treasure trove of free resources and become the Green Team hero your cafeteria needs!
These resources are offered by a vast community that shares your values.Â
They offer their expertise in different formats, for various audiences. Sometimes, every word will feel like it is meant for you. Even if you are not their target audience, you know best how to transform the work that they are sharing into Cafeteria Victories at your school. It may be as simple as sharing a sorting how-to video link with each teacher, or as complex as your wildest dreams. Let's find out. Â
And when you're ready, we invite you to share your inspiring materials with Cafeteria Victories. We'll post them here.
Share School-Wide
Speed up your Cafeteria Victories by using content that has been tried and tested. Please preview these videos closely. Different waste haulers (the people who take your trash) have different equipment and different procedures. Some ideas work better in bigger schools, some smaller. Make sure you are sharing information that works for your school. Not all videos are posted here, so if you find something you like, find out where it came from to see if they made more.Â
For Green Teams
Being a green team member means that you are a leader. Develop your leadership by gathering insights from youth experts just like you.
A food waste audit helps identify the types and amounts of food waste generated, providing valuable data to develop strategies that reduce waste. The World Wildlife Fund's Food Waste Warrior program offers this "How To Conduct a Food Waste Audit at Your School" guide.
The students formed the Coalition to Re-Imagine School Waste, a student-run group... which is currently expanding to other states. The Coalition ...has established food waste diversion programs in public schools around the county and state. 📰Worldwildlife.org Spotlight Story: students helped pass state legislation
San Mateo County offers a Green Team Guide which includes links to additional Green Team Guides. Â
Evidence Adults Can Use
Many government and non-government, universities and professional organizations, for-profit and non-profit businesses, want to help you make your case. Find the research here. Share more research here. Â
Oakland Unified School District paves the way in waste prevention.Â
USDA guidelines on the use of Share Tables in schools
The Conscious Cafeteria Report A national pilot study on reusable foodware for healthier, more sustainable schools, funded by the Clinton Global Initiative.
Bedford Public Schools Case Study on switching to reusables
The BOTTOM LINE
• $11,777.40 total annual net cost savings
• 261,720 disposable items reduced per year
• Almost 3 tons (5,796lbs) of annual waste reduction
• Return on investment in one school calendar year
• $20,700 per year estimated savings in waste-hauling fees
Harrington Elementary Case Study on switching to reusables 363 students
The BOTTOM LINE:
 • $3,696 total annual net cost savings
 • 175,500 disposable items reduced per year
 • 2 tons (3,960 lbs) of annual waste reduction
 • Additional $1,000 in estimated compost-hauling savings
 • 3.2-month payback period on reusable foodware purchases
• 16-hour/week part-time dishwashing position added
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Funding
Argue with Evidence
Here we feature evidence created by youth.
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