When Grades of Green partners with sports teams, you know it will have an eco-twist! Not only did Grades of Green guests enjoy the Los Angeles Kings versus St. Louis Blues hockey game on Sunday, but our group was able to take an exclusive behind the scenes eco-tour thanks to our partners at the Kings Care Foundation. Our group met with the Staples Center Sustainability Manager and learned all about the waste reduction efforts that take place daily in this 950,000 square foot venue. For example, e-waste collected is up-cycled and reused, and food waste from the kitchens is collected to be composted. Grades of Green guests were inspired to learn all that the Staples Center does to reduce the venue’s environmental footprint, and were reminded how important it is for venue visitors to sort their waste properly into the recycling containers.

Waste reduction is on our minds after this awesome tour, especially as our Waste Campaign kicks off this month! To follow the students around the world who are participating in the Waste Campaign, find us on Facebook and Instagram @gradesofgreen.

Saint Anthony school in Long Beach, California kicked off their Grades of Green program with a huge splash thanks to the Kings Care Foundation and Blue Shield of California! The school is competing in the 2017-2018 Trash Free Lunch Challenge, and began by inviting Grades of Green to host a kick-off assembly to educate students about the program. Students were taught how to reduce, reuse, recycle, pack trash free lunches, and to use their new lunchtime sorting station. After the assembly, students who sorted their waste correctly earned a t-shirt. After lunch, students participated in a workshop to learn about the Kings Care Foundation G.O.A.L.S. program.  Students were split into four groups, and rotated to four interactive stations. They were able to play hockey with Kings player Kyle Clifford, practice recycling habits with a sorting game, spin the Grades of Green Jeopardy wheel to earn a reusable water bottle, and explore the brand new G.O.A.L.S. website features. Grades of Green is proud to partner with the Kings Care  Foundation on the Green Solutions platform, and was thrilled to bring the program to Saint Anthony!

To check out photos from the event, click here. To check out the press, click here, and click here! To read the Kings story about this awesome day, click here.