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Waste reduction benchmark

Learn effective strategies for reducing consumption and preventing waste from being generated in the first place. Single-use items and excessive packaging are major sources of waste in schools. This benchmark emphasizes reusing existing products, replacing single-use, disposable items with durable items, prioritizing equipment repair over replacement, and reducing packaging by switching to bulk containers whenever possible. This benchmark also outlines the many ways schools can re-use items instead of throwing them away—such as putting usable “scrap” paper bins in classrooms for continued use or organizing clothing or book swaps.

This benchmark does not apply to waste diversion efforts such as recycling or organics collection. With less garbage, you may be able to reduce collection frequency and the size of outdoor garbage containers. By reducing consumption and minimizing waste, schools conserve resources and save on costs.

School criteria for recognition

Fill out the School Waste Reduction recognition form when you have completed the following criteria:

  • Maintain low waste generation OR reduce solid waste through waste reduction efforts.
    • Track your waste generation at least three times and share the findings with your program representative. Optional: use the garbage volume worksheet to gather data.
    • A low waste generation is less than or equal to 2 gallons of waste/student/week.
  • Conduct a Waste Walk Through (WWT) every  year. Use the findings to set waste reduction goals.
  • Share waste reduction goals with the rest of the school. Examples could include assemblies, newsletters, announcements, or social media posts.
  • Create or maintain at least 3 different waste reduction systems and/or participate in waste reduction activities. Examples include using lunchroom durables, washable desk rags, double-sided printing, setting up Good-On-One-Side (GOOS) paper bins, practicing upcycling, hosting a clothing swap, etc.
  • Share your waste reduction efforts and progress with your program representative.

Recognition form

Fill out the School Waste Reduction recognition form. Schools may fill out the recognition form at any time of school year. Contact your program representative if you need assistance filling out the form.

You can complete the recognition form over multiple sessions using the "Save" button. You will be emailed a link that allows you to continue filling out the form. Once the form is complete, select the "Submit" button.

Check out all the schools that were recognized for Waste Reduction in 2025-26.

District criteria for recognition

District staff will be invited to apply for recognition once at least 50% of their school are participating in the Green Schools Program. Find the district recognition criteria in the District Benchmark Guide. 

Once criteria are met, district staff can fill out the School Waste Reduction recognition form.

Waste reduction resources and activities

Interested in learning more? Check out our resource list for more detailed information on this benchmark topic.

Success Stories

The Green Team at Shorewood High School in Shoreline School District conducts a waste audit every year to see what is being thrown away and how they can reduce their waste. Students display the results of their audit on a bulletin board in the cafeteria where everyone can see the most common items that are thrown away that could have been recycled, composted, or not used at all. The publicity around the waste audits has led to reduced contamination and less trash being thrown away. The Green Team also encourages proper sorting during Earth Week by giving cookies to students who take the time to correctly sort their waste after lunch.

Many schools are trying to implement durable utensils and trays as a way to reduce reliance on single-use items. Benjamin Rush and Juanita Elementary schools in Lake Washington School District both applied for the Re+ Voucher funds to purchase metal utensils for their cafeterias. Benjamin Rush Elementary made a video and sent the student green team into classrooms to remind students not to throw away the metal utensils. Between the two schools, approximately 700 single-use utensils were removed from the waste stream each day—which equals 126,000 utensils over the course of the school year!