Washington Elementary School in Redondo Beach, California was the first runner up in Grades of Green’s 2012-13 Trash Free Lunch Challenge. One of the keys to their dramatic success of decreasing the amount of trash they generated each day from 23 bags to 2 bags? Their Custodian Javier Marquez! Javier is not just a custodian, but acts as a counselor, security officer, and Green Team coordinator on Washington’s campus. All of Javier’s hard work has not only been noticed by the Washington community, but is now getting well deserved recognition from the California Department of Education by awarding him the Classified Employee of the Year, 2013. To read more about the amazing things Javier has done for his community, go here. Check out this article in LAcarGUY’s Audi Pacific Newsletter here and Subaru Pacific Newsletter here.