The PTO will be working with Seven Generations Ahead and staff to develop a waste assessment and apply for a grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to start the initiative.  Step 1 is assessing the amount of waste generated in the school in one day.  Step 2 is applying for the grant to pay “hard costs” of ways to reduce waste at school.  Some examples are: replacing cafeteria disposables with reusables, having a 2-sided copying policy, installing hand dryers, composting organic waste.

Seven Generations Ahead is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to build ecologically sustainable and healthy communities. SGA advocates for proactive, local community solutions to global environmental issues, and works to promote clean, renewable energy; eco-effective materials and products; intelligent, sustainable building design; and fresh, local food raised using ecologically safe and healthy practices.

We hope to team up with staff and students, integrating this effort into the current curriculum and daily routine. It will only succeed with a total group effort involving the entire Julian community. Our kids know the issues and many are anxious about global warming and related environmental problems. The Zero Waste Initiative can be another opportunity to further educate them but also give them confidence and hope that we can change the world for the better in our own school community by changing our everyday practices and habits.

If you are interested about this exciting project, please contact Co-PTO president, Suzanne Lavin or Julian Zero Waste Initiative Steering Committee Chair, Nancy Guarino.