Arbor Heights Elementary (Seattle, WA)
Category: Recycling and Waste Reduction

Arbor Heights' waste reduction program includes a focus on recycling and compost, and students are educated on the ways that they can reduce waste by composting. Each classroom has adopted a day that those students are responsible for taking out the school's compost, and the motto of the composting program to help make them think about what they are throwing away as garbage is "Stop. Think. Sort."

Arbor Heights also "upcycles" their refuse. The program there is designed to divert waste products and create new products out of what would otherwise become garbage. The company they work with in this step, Terracycle, uses those student-gathered waste products to produce pencil pouches, folders, benches, lunch bags, and other items found around the school for students' use. Additionally, this program helps to raise money for the school, as they receive $.02 for each item that students collect and send in. To further this program, Arbor Heights has created a Green Team that students can apply to join, and participate in the collection of the refuse items that will be upcycled. In its first year, the Green Team program at Arbor Heights has raised several hundred dollars.

Comments from Arbor Heights Elementary

"It was my first time going to a Mariners game. It was super fun. I'm glad I got to go."
(4th Grade)

"Thank you!"
(5th Grade)

"I can't believe I got to stand on the field!! I really liked it!"
(3rd Grade)

"This was such an awesome experience! So much fun and we are so thankful for the cameras. They will be put to good use at our school."
(Teacher)

"It was an amazing experience! Thank you! We will be using our cameras to document our green efforts and school happenings!"
(Teacher)

"Going onto the field was a lifetime dream. I am so grateful for the chance"
(Teacher)

"Thank you so much for this honor! I am amazed at the incredible award, and deeply honored to be a part of it. Thank you!"
(Parent)

Alderwood Elementary (Bellingham, WA)
Category: Electricity/Energy Efficiency

Alderwood Elementary is working to educate its students and staff about energy use and its links to climate change. Using less energy can also save money for the school.

The school is exploring ways to conserve energy through more efficient lighting and computer-controlled temperature systems. Students are taught energy conservation activities, such as turning off lights, equipment, appliances in rooms that are not in use, and shutting down all computers and monitors at night.

Lawton Elementary (Seattle, WA)
Category: Water Conservation & Quality

Water is a precious natural resource, and growing demand for is affecting water availability and quality in some areas. Lawton Elementary is educating students about ways to not be wasteful, as well as new and better ways to use and manage water in their community.

Students are taught how to reduce their water use and protect its quality through learning about using native drought-tolerant plants for landscaping, finding alternatives to traditional irrigation, and finding new ways to clean their campus using less water. They are also educated about the regional watershed, the source of the school's drinking water, and where it drains.

Serene Lake Elementary (Edmonds, WA)
Category: Carpooling & Green Transportation

Students at Serene Lake are taught the ways in which transportation choices affect the environment and their health. Because vehicle emissions have such a profound impact on the environment, the school promotes alternative modes of transportation.

Carpooling, mass transit, creating safe walking and biking routes to the school, and using them daily all work together to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and can aid in long-lasting environmental change. School buses are one of the largest mass transit options in the United States.

Viewlands Elementary (Seattle, WA)
Category: Planting & Campus Greening

Viewlands Elementary is re-opening several years after being closed due to budget constraints. To help prepare the school for the return of students on a daily basis, kids, parents, teachers, staff and other volunteers spent several weeks planting new greenery on and around the campus.

The new landscaping features plants native to the Pacific Northwest, and have helped make Viewlands Elementary a more lush, green, and environmentally-friendly place.

© 2001- MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.

Use of the Website signifies your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy (updated 06.06.2011).