Grades of Green’s 2015-2016 Trash Free Lunch Challenge winning elementary school is inspiring people all across Los Angeles! Pitzil Milagro, a 4th grade Grades of Green student leader from Collegewood Elementary in Walnut, spoke to the LA County Public Works Board of Directors at a meeting held at Los Angeles County City Hall. Pitzil Milagro spoke passionately about the accomplishments she and her fellow Collegewood Elementary Grades of Green Team members helped her school achieve while participating in the 2015-2016 Trash Free Lunch Challenge. Pitzil Milagro explained how the school is seeing a significant decrease in lunch time trash – in fact; the school used to make a whopping 20 bags of trash every day at lunch time, and has reduced that down to just 3 bags of waste each day! Pitzil Milagro shared how some of her peers wrote to their Superintendent about banning polystyrene trays at lunch which led to a meeting with the Superintendent. The conversation culminated in a district wide ban on polystyrene trays!
The LA County Public Works Board was impressed with Pitzil Milagro’s leadership and eloquence. They agreed that Collegewood’s environmental efforts should be inspirational schools everywhere. The Public Works Board plans to recognize Collegwood Elementary in Walnut and La Merced Intermediate in Montebello for their success as winners of the 2015-2016 Grades of Green Trash Free Lunch Challenge. When students speak they spark change; way to go Pitzil Milagro! Interested in registering your school to participate in this year’s Trash Free Lunch Challenge? Only a few spots are left! To learn more about the Challenge and to register your school, email us at info@gradesofgreen.org today!
Collegewood Elementary School, winners in the elementary school category of the 2015-2016 Trash Free Lunch Challenge, has become pioneer environmental leaders in Walnut. The school created the first battery recycling collection center in the city of Walnut, and led the way in banning Styrofoam trays from all cafeterias in the district. Collegewood was recently recognized for their Grades of Green program at the Walnut City Council Meeting. All Green Team student leaders were presented with certificates from the city for leading Collegewood in winning the Trash Free Lunch Challenge. The school was also featured in the local paper which highlights their success in reducing lunchtime waste. In addition to celebrating their contributions to a greener community, Collegewood’s Green Team is actively working on how to grow the school’s Grades of Green program in the upcoming year, which includes having a Boy Scout troop build a composter for the school. Keep up the great work Collegewood! Interested in learning about the Trash Free Lunch Challenge and how to get a school involved? Click here!