Zero Waste School Program

two girls standing in front of recycle can with a woman helping to recycle their items

What is it? 

The Zero Waste School Program in Lakewood is a collaborative effort of the City of Lakewood, Jeffco School District and local nonprofit, Eco-Cycle, to bring zero waste practices and education to every school in Lakewood. 

Why is it a priority? 

Major cultural and systemic shifts are essential to making progress on the City of Lakewood's community-wide Zero Waste Goal. Integrating zero waste habits and foundational knowledge into the systems that teach Lakewood's youth is an investment that will have worthwhile returns as students take their habits back home, to their community groups, to their next school, and onward through life. 

Who is involved? 

  • City of Lakewood Sustainability Division - coordinates with project partners and funds program
  • Jeffco Public Schools - selects and coordinates with schools and funds composting
  • Eco-Cycle - expert Colorado-based nonprofit who implements their proven education, training, waste audits to each school

Is your school eligible? 

1. Within Lakewood City Boundaries - This program is funded by Carry-Out Bag Fees paid to Lakewood retailers and remitted to the city to fund waste diversion programs.

2. Elementary School - Food waste per student is higher at elementary schools (older students produce less plate waste and high schools have off campus lunch options). Elementary students will also be in the district longer and investing in their habits early on is more impactful. 

3. School Leadership & Staff Support - School administration and facilities staff are the ultimate decision-makers within a school’s culture. Without sufficient support and motivation from within, no program succeeds. Therefore, parent interest alone is not the driving factor when selecting a school. Parent driven initiatives also tend to wane with the child’s matriculation to a new school. 

What does the program entail? 

Each school receives the following support to launch recycling, composting, and “share tables” in their cafeteria: 

  • Pre-launch planning sessions with key staff 
  • Pre-and post-program waste audits
  • Hands-on education and training
  • Multiple weeks of on-site implementation
  • Support in the cafeteria
  • Compost collection services
  • Waste bins for the cafeteria & kitchen
  • Annual retraining as needed and classroom based environmental education 

How can we participate? 

The partners are able to launch up to two schools per academic year in Lakewood. Schools are selected by Jeffco based on success factors.  

What are other options? 

Since the program expansion is very gradual, we recommend schools explore the following opportunities, too: 

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