Zero Waste program expanding to all schools

En Español

BVSD's partnership and program with Eco-Cycle to support Zero Waste through the Green Star Schools Program is expanding to all BVSD schools by the end of 2026.

This school year to date (August–February), BVSD schools have diverted:  

Recycled: 325,359 lbs 

• Equivalent to the weight of 217 bison 
• 455.7 metric tons of CO2 reduced 
• 106 passenger vehicles driven for a year 
• Carbon sequestered by 7,535 tree seedling grown for 10 years or 457 acres of forests in one year 

Composted: 141,937 lbs 

• Equivalent to 2,838.7 million worms fed  
  • *Worms can eat ½ their body weight a day! 
• 3 metric tons (6614 lbs) of methane avoided 
• Equivalent to 30 belching cows (cows can belch ~220 lbs of methane/year) 
• 57 passenger vehicles driven for a year 
• 32.6 million gallons or 49 Olympic swimming pools of water saved 

Thanks to additional funding secured by Eco-Cycle from a Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment Supplemental Environmental Project, the final six schools in Erie and Broomfield will join the Green Star Schools Program starting next school year. BVSD’s recycling efforts are supported through a combination of grants, district funds, and municipal contributions. Monarch High School was the most recent (and 44th) BVSD Green Star School to come online this school year. 

The Green Star Schools (GSS) Program builds on and adds to the Eco-Cycle School Recycling and Environmental Education Program, which all schools have been participating in for years. The GSS Program introduces compost collection to school cafeterias and kitchens, improves recycling, and emphasizes reuse and waste reduction activities. It provides participating schools with extensive and ongoing support, feedback, incentives, rewards, and special projects. The Green Star Schools Program supports BVSD sustainability goals and is key to helping create environmentally literate graduates.

As part of the GSS Program, participating schools have access to many special projects and benefits such as waste reduction contests and Eco-Cycle staffed support to make school community events “Zero Waste.” 

Six GSS participated in Eco-Cycle's new HEART (Help the Earth and Reduce Trash) Contest during the months of February and March. The HEART Contest encouraged students to reduce trash and save our natural resources through reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting during lunch. Eisenhower Elementary earned 1st place and Heatherwood Elementary earned 2nd place. These BVSD schools showed the most significant reduction in trash, collected the best compost and recycling, and returned ALL of their reusable utensils.  

Making school events “Zero Waste” is an easy way schools can reduce their environmental impact. Not only do these efforts minimize waste generated at school events, but they also provide valuable educational opportunities for the entire school community. Students can share their everyday Zero Waste practices such as reusing, recycling, and composting with their families and friends. Eco-Cycle is thrilled to support 14 Zero Waste Events at BVSD Green Star Schools this school year.  

Green Star Schools are setting examples of sustainable event planning by showing that REuse is the best way to REduce. At BCSIS’s annual Fall, Winter, and Spring school community celebrations, parent event planners organize reusable school trays and utensils to be used by food vendors serving dinner and encourage event attendees to bring their own reusable cups and bowls for beverages and snacks.

During Whittier’s Heritage Night, Fireside’s Multi-Cultural Celebration, and Summit Middle School’s International Night, families come together through food, song, and dance to celebrate cultural diversity at school while keeping Zero Waste in mind. At these potluck-style dinner events, attendees are encouraged to bring dishes to share in reusable or recyclable containers as well as their own reusable dinnerware. At the end of the night, parent volunteers wipe down themed tablecloths to use again next year, reducing decoration costs and waste. By choosing to make an event “Zero Waste,” schools show that it is easy to plan community gatherings and reduce waste for the planet.   

Planning an event at your school? Contact Kathy, Eco-Cycle's Green Star Schools Program Manager at Kathy@ecocycle.org for support with waste reduction. 

BVSD schools are making a positive climate impact through everyday actions. Thank you to all BVSD staff, students, and families for your partnership in sustainability and Zero Waste.