Celebrations don’t have to have a negative impact on the environment! Taking action to reduce waste at parties and other school events supports BVSD’s sustainability goals. It also helps reduce the work load of our hard-working custodial staff that have to deal with all the left-over waste.
 
Please use the following tips to reduce waste at all district functions: class parties, staff meetings, community events and extra-curricular activities.
 
Food

• Use washable (reusable) plates, cups, utensils and napkins. In the classroom, students can bring their own “dining kits” from home. Staff can also bring their own “dining kits” to faculty functions.
• Cloth napkins can be cut from old clothes or fabric. If disposable napkins must be used, look for napkins made from 100 percent recycled paper (can be found in most grocery stores).
• Serve only finger foods to eliminate the need for utensils altogether.
• Serve drinks in juice boxes, metal cans or plastic bottles, all of which can be recycled (straws, plastic straw wrappers, and peel off or plastic lids must go in the trash). Please have people empty drink containers before recycling them.
• Almost all packaging around individual servings of snacks (such as chip bags) is trash. Homemade goodies or snacks purchased in bulk (without individual wrappers) generate less waste.
• Clean, balled-up aluminum foil and aluminum plates are recyclable. Pizza boxes are also recyclable.
• Green Star Schools can compost uncoated paper plates, paper napkins, paper towels, cupcake papers (non-metallic), and plates, cups and utensils made from sugarcane or corn (specifically labeled “compostable”). Compostable plates, cups and cutlery can be purchased at:
  Ellie’s Eco Home Store (2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-952-1004)
  Cen Tex Supply (2845 29th St., Boulder, 303-442-8477)
  Eco-Cycle (303.444.6634 Boulder)

Decorations and Gifts

• Try to avoid single-use decorations like balloons and streamers. Balloons are a serious wildlife hazard when they escape into the environment.
• Reusable tablecloths or placemats that can be decorated and then recycled are a good option.
• Green Star Schools can compost paper streamers and butcher paper used for decorations (remove tape first).
• Encourage re-gifting, and reusable gift bags or wrapping paper made from used items like maps, calendar pictures and comics.

Clean-up

• Soapy water and a sponge is a no-trash, non-toxic way to clean tables and desks.
• Non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners reduce pollution. Check the label.

Thank you for your efforts to protect the environment!
 
For questions regarding waste reduction, recycling or composting in school district buildings, please contact Eco-Cycle’s School Recycling and Environmental Education Program at 303-444-6634, ext. 122.