The Zero Waste School Initiative is a program sponsored by Recycle Hawaii that highlights zero-waste events and activities at schools and in the community.
Recycle Hawaii promotes zero waste
in Hawaii schools
The Zero Waste School Initiative is a program sponsored by Recycle Hawaii that highlights zero-waste events and activities at schools and in the community.
Zero waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources and not burn or bury them.
The objective of the program is to encourage and recognize “zero-waste projects” in schools throughout the state. This recognition can help motivate others to create events, activities and projects that incorporate the concept of zero waste not only for specific events, but as a part of the school’s ongoing commitment to environmental protection.
On America Recycles Day, Nov. 15, Recycle Hawaii is encouraging schools to participate in the Zero Waste Cafeteria Day. This project highlights the amount of materials that can be saved from going into the landfill by practicing some simple and responsible environmental practices. This is also an opportunity to teach students how much food is thrown in the trash at their school each day.
A number of schools have already shown an interest in participating in the Zero Waste School Initiative. They include Kealakehe Elementary, Pahoa High and Intermediate, Innovations Public Charter, Laupahoehoe Community Charter, Honokaa Middle and Kona Pacific Public Charter schools.
Other schools interested in learning more about the initiative may contact program coordinator Howard Shapiro at 985-8725 or artpeace@hawaiiantel.net.
Project Grad open house is Tuesday
Parents of all students, family and friends are invited to attend a Project Grad open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Kealakehe High School library. Attendees will learn about the program and how they can help make it a success.
Kealakehe Project Grad is an annual drug- and alcohol-free event providing a safe location for graduating students to celebrate with their friends. Since the project’s inception, Kealakehe has not had a traffic-related fatality on graduation night.
Email monica_balanay@yahoo.com, visit khsprojectgrad.com or call 896-1866 for more information.