Translate
We offer resources and assistance to help your school set and meet recycling and waste reduction goals.
Our work is in partnership with the Clackamas County Refuse and Recycling Association. Explore our resources below.
Contact: wasteinfo@clackamas.us
Classroom Presentations
We provide engaging and hands-on presentations in K-12 classrooms. If you do not see a presentation you are looking for, please contact us.
- Composting with Worms (K-5)
Students explore composting with worms and the entire worm bin ecosystem as they engage in hands-on experiments and observation. - Where is Away? (2-5)
Students follow the journey of trash from our homes and schools to the landfill. Emphasis on reduction, reuse, recycling and steps towards sustainability. - Preventing Food Waste (6-12)
Approximately 40% of the food grown in the United States for consumption is thrown away, and much of that waste is preventable. In this engaging multimedia presentation, students will explore the causes and consequences of food waste and problem-solve solutions to make a real difference. - Climate Change (6-12)
Explore the problem of climate change, what people are doing about it, and why it’s not too late to make a difference. Emphasis on using your voice to engage with peers and adults about issues that matter. - Garbage Audit (4-12)
Students examine the contents of the garbage and recycling bins in each classroom to determine which items are commonly misplaced in each bin. After the audit, students provide suggestions to specific classrooms to improve their garbage and recycling system. - Cafeteria Audit (4-12)
This activity provides an opportunity for every student in the school to participate! Instead of throwing lunch trash away, each student sorts their own trash into designated categories (Food, Liquid, Recyclables, and Trash) to learn about what is being thrown away. After lunch, a smaller group of students collect weight and volume measurements of each category, which can be shared with the whole school. - Energy Audit (4-12) – Activity is led as an after school program
Students explore their school after it closes for the day to determine how much energy is being wasted due to computers monitors, copy machines and other equipment is being left on at night and during weekends. By the end of the audit, students know how much energy and money are being wasted and the environmental impacts of this wasted energy.
Mini-Grants For School Waste Reduction Projects
Clackamas County provides small grants to schools to help meet waste reduction goals. Examples of past grant projects include:
- Replacing disposable items used in school meal service: School meal service can generate a significant amount of waste. Switching to washable items like trays, plates, silverware, and cups can be a great way to reduce waste.
- Purchasing party kits to reduce party waste: Teachers report that classroom party kits reduce waste by a minimum of one large trash bag per classroom party.
- Installing a water bottle filling station: Reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles by installing a convenient water bottle filling station.
- Support a school’s composting program: Some schools collect fruit and vegetable scraps to compost on-site. Our grant can help purchase items like compost tumblers and collection containers.
- And more: Share your idea with us!
Applications
- General grant application
- Reusable dishware/silverware grant
- Water bottle filling station grant
- Composting support grant
- Classroom party kit grant
Free Resources
Educational posters for the classroom, office, and cafeteria
Make sure everyone in your building knows what to do with their recyclable, compostable, and disposable items. These posters can support your school’s waste reduction program.
Educational posters for the classroom, office, and cafeteria
Make sure everyone in your building knows what to do with their recyclable, compostable, and disposable items. These posters can support your school’s waste reduction program.
Free recycling and composting bins
Recycling collection in kitchens or copy rooms
Bottle and can collection in cafeterias or common areas
Bottle and can collection in cafeterias or common areas
Paper recycling for classrooms and offices
Food scraps collection in cafeterias
Food scraps collection in kitchens
Workbooks and Guides
An Apple isn’t just an Apple (PDF)
Educational activity book about food and food waste. Best for grades 2-3.
Una Manzana no es solo una Manzana (PDF)
Educational activity book about food and food waste in Spanish. Best for grades 2-3.
Oregon School Food Share Program Guide (PDF from the EPA)
A step-by-step guide to measure and reduce wasted food through a School Food Share Program.
Oregon Green Schools
Sunsetting of Oregon Green Schools certification
The Oregon Green Schools certification program has ended after nearly 30 years. In that time, it helped over 250 schools across Oregon to reduce waste in classrooms and cafeterias, teach children to conserve water and energy, and help children realize their leadership skills.
While the program has ended, Clackamas County Sustainability and Solid Waste remains committed to ensuring that the program’s legacy lives on. We will continue to support our dedicated teachers, parents, students, and volunteers by providing mentorship, presentations, materials, and mini-grants to assist Clackamas County schools in achieving their sustainability goals.
To everyone who contributed to the success of Oregon Green Schools by doing your part in our little corner of Oregon, thank you for your determination, vision, and teamwork. The knowledge you have shared, the leadership you have shown, and the positive habits you have fostered will continue to inspire lasting change for years to come.
Together, you have made Oregon’s schools healthier, safer, and more sustainable.
Certified schools
We want to applaud the student green teams, teachers, and volunteers whose hard work helped build sustainability-minded cultures within their schools. The following schools are the last to be certified as Oregon Green Schools:
- Clackamas High School (NCSD) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, 2024-2027
- Gardiner Middle School (OCSD) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, 2024-2027
- John McLoughlin Elementary School (OCSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2024-2027
- Summit Learning Charter (Estacada School District) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, 2023-2026
- Sunset Primary School (WLWVSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2023-2026
- Forest Hills Elementary School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Hallinan Elementary School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Lakeridge Middle School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Lakeridge High School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Lake Grove Elementary School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Lake Oswego Middle School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Lake Oswego High School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Oak Creek Elementary School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Palisades World Language School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- River Grove Elementary School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
- Westridge Elementary School (LOSD) Green Lunchrooms, 2022-2025
Reduce Wasted Food At School
Compost food scraps at school
Some schools in Clackamas County are eligible to collect compostable food scraps through a commercial composting program. Other schools may consider a small garden composting program. Whatever your needs, we are here to help. Contact us for assistance.
Milk dispensers
Since 2017, Clackamas County has been helping schools transition from disposable milk cartons to using milk dispensers with a washable cup for milk service. This transition has saved thousands of gallons of milk and prevented hundreds of thousands of cartons from ending up in the landfill.
Frequently asked questions
Why should my school consider using milk dispensers?
- Milk cartons are not easily recyclable in schools and, in some areas, they are not recyclable at all.
- In schools where dispensers are in use, students can choose how much milk to take and usually drink more of the milk they take, which reduces milk waste by over half. Canby schools increased their milk sales to students while still decreasing overall volume of milk purchased.
- Cartons are often thrown away half-full, adding to the weight of the garbage and contributing to injuries and messes when waste is carried out.
- Milk cartons make up at least 50% of a school's lunch trash volume. When those cartons are not there, trash cans do not fill as quickly and custodians will not have to empty the trash nearly as often, which saves time and trash bags.
- Without cartons in the garbage, a school may be able to save more money by reducing garbage service.
- Students report that the milk tastes better.
Which Clackamas County schools are using milk dispensers?
Canby School District
- Carus Elementary
- Cecile Trost Elementary
- Howard Eccles Elementary
- Ninety-One Elementary
- Philander Lee Elementary
- William Knight Elementary
North Clackamas School District
- Ardenwald Elementary
- Cascade Heights Public Charter
- Oak Grove Elementary
- Scouters Mountain
- Spring Mountain Elementary
- Sunnyside Elementary
- Verne Duncan Elementary
- View Acres Elementary
Oregon City School District
- Beavercreek Elementary
- Candy Lane Elementary
- Gaffney Lane Elementary
- Holcomb Elementary
- Jennings Lodge Elementary
- John McLoughlin Elementary
- Redland Elementary
Silver Falls School District
- Butte Creek School
What equipment is needed, and how much does it cost?
| Equipment | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3-spigot stainless steel milk dispenser | $2,517 |
| Industrial cart for dispenser | $560 |
| 400 Washable cups ~$30 for case of 36 | $325 |
| Dishwashing trays 17 trays holding 25 cups | $400 |
| 2 carts to move trays to and from kitchen | $268 |
| 3 additional milk crates To simplify changing milk bags during lunch | $171 |
| Total: | $4241 |
Won't students spill the milk?
The Canby and Olympia School Districts both report no additional spills after beginning to use the milk dispensers. In fact, some school personnel in Olympia have reported fewer spills with the milk dispensers.
How much time does it take to wash all of the dishes?
In the Canby School District, the kitchen staff has found that the additional time required to wash the cups is negligible. Kitchen staff washes the dishes in between other tasks and no additional time has been required to wash cups.
How do we source milk in bags?
Work with your dairy to get milk in bags. The dairy supplying Canby schools offered milk in 3-gallon bags. In Olympia, another community that has implemented milk dispensers, the dairy's 5 -gallon bags were too heavy. The dairy was able to fill them with just 4 gallons to make them easier to load.
How do we meet the USDA requirements for a reimbursable meal?
Canby schools have not been audited yet, but they are following the same procedure as Olympia. The schools with dispensers in Olympia have passed their OSPI audits with flying colors. No issues were raised about the use of dispensers. These districts have reported that by the time students have gone through the serving line they already have a reimbursable meal. One variable to consider is whether or not a District has chosen the "offer" or "serve" option for how they qualify for reimbursement.
For the best guidance, please check in with your district's Child Nutrition Specialist for guidance on how to incorporate milk dispensers into your lunch program.
How do you keep kids from throwing the cups in the trash?
Students pour their unfinished milk into a bucket, then place the cup upside down in the dishwashing tray. This process needs to be taught and reinforced, but it quickly becomes habit for the kids.
Can I contact Nutrition Services Directors who are already using dispensers?
Yes!
- Galina Dobson
Canby School District Nutrition Services
503-263-7140 ext. 3480
dobsong@canby.k12.or.us - Paul Flock
Olympia School District
360-596-7064
pflock@osd.wednet.edu
Is it really better to use a washable cup than a carton?
Yes. Washable cups are better than disposable cartons. Most environmental impacts occur before we even see a product, so using washable dishware is better than disposables as long as those reusable dishes are, well, reused. Estimates vary somewhat, but as long as a washable dish is used 10 or more times, it is better than using a disposable dish. Below is a graphic that helps to explain where the environmental impacts occur over a product's lifecycle.
Graphic from City of Portland's website, adapted from Eco-products website.
