ENERGIZE SCHOOLS
  • Home
  • About
    • Partners
  • Resources for Educators
    • Sustainability Curriculum
    • Electric Vehicles & Sustainable Transportation
    • Winners: The People & Planet Challenge
    • Earth Day Challenge 2023
    • Green Careers
    • Teacher Trainings
    • Zero Waste Schools
  • Get Involved
  • Give
  • PORTAL Earth Day Challenge 2023

Zero Waste Programs

Helping schools and communities achieve their zero waste goals 

SEI’s Zero Waste team helps schools implement sustainable waste reduction and recycling programs in order to comply with mandatory state laws. We work with schools and communities to build a culture of environmental stewardship, create opportunities for project based learning, and save money on refuse hauling services.
Students conduct waste audit
Hidden Valley Elementary School students
​audit their waste
Students pose next to waste bins
San Pedro's Green Team shooting for zero at their end of year celebration
Students looking in waste bin
Coleman Green Team Leaders support lunchtime sorting with their favorite tool - the trash grabbers!

Zero Waste Marin Schools Program

Since 2015, SEI has supported Zero Waste Marin in reaching their diversion goals through the implementation of the Zero Waste Schools Program. Our support in Marin County reaches 20 schools and 11,000 students each year.
Picture
Reducing carbon footprint through education ​for students and families
Picture
Training student green team support ​to lead waste sorting efforts
Picture
Working with teachers, students, and parents to create ​stakeholder collaboration and understanding within communities
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Picture
Let your inner artist shine while learning about the importance of reducing waste by participating in the eARTh Challenge! In this challenge, you can get creative and compete in up to three art projects, each based on a different zero waste theme. Choose the project that is most interesting to you, or complete them all.

eARTh Projects

Kitchen Edition

View Project
Picture
Give second life to materials in your kitchen that would otherwise be discarded! Watch videos on food waste to learn more about the topic. ​

Outdoor Exploration Edition

View Project
Picture
Get outside and explore to reflect on the question: What happens to waste in nature?  Then create a piece of art with anything that you have gathered outside.

Upcycling Edition

View Project
Picture
Upcycle objects in your home that are not being used or will be discarded. Then, reflect on the idea of reusing and repurposing items. ​

Watch us Take the Challenge!

eARTh Challenge Submissions

Alice's found object sculpture
Abigail's backyard gatherings
Colin's Castle
The Glenwood Green Team at work
The Glenwood Green Team's garden labels
Colbie's collage

2020 Zero Waste Challenge

Students can show their  Zero Waste passion and knowledge with this fun and creative four week challenge!

Challenge Activities

​​Week 1 Activity - Rot On! ​
​
 (PDF Version)
Week 1 Challenge Activity
Week 2 Activity - Trash or Treasure? 
(PDF Version)
Week 2 Challenge Activity
Week 3 Activity - Leftover Makeover
​
 (PDF Version)
week 3 challenge activity
​Week 4 Activity - Don’t Waste Your Voice!
(PDF Version)
Week 4 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
SEI Building leaders for a resilient world
Energize Schools is a program of SEI, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Picture
Picture
Contact Us

Phone: (415) 507-2181

​Email: energizeschools@seiinc.org

SEI Headquarters

100 Smith Ranch Road, Suite 124
​San Rafael, CA 94903

Additional Locations

Greater New York
Los Angeles
​Sacramento
San Diego
Seattle
Connect
Subscribe to the Energize Schools newsletter for updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved
subscribe

  • Home
  • About
    • Partners
  • Resources for Educators
    • Sustainability Curriculum
    • Electric Vehicles & Sustainable Transportation
    • Winners: The People & Planet Challenge
    • Earth Day Challenge 2023
    • Green Careers
    • Teacher Trainings
    • Zero Waste Schools
  • Get Involved
  • Give
  • PORTAL Earth Day Challenge 2023