School Sustainability

Arlington Public Schools is committed to reducing its environmental impact, promoting health and wellness, and integrating environmental science education and enrichment at all levels. Arlington Public Schools was recognized for its sustainability practices in 2018 earning the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Award. The Arlington School Sustainability Coordinator works closely with APS staff and students as well as the Department of Public Works to develop and support school sustainability initiatives including textile recycling, lunch food waste diversion, and Green Teams.

Meet your School Sustainability Coordinator

Rachel Oliveri, she/her/hers, roliveri@arlington.k12.ma.us, 781-316-3118

Contact Rachel for...

• Classroom, after school, and school-wide presentations
• Cafeteria, classroom/office, and school-wide waste diversion support
• Compost or recycling equipment and signage
• Resources and support for Green Teams and student-led environmental initiatives
• Help organizing a waste diversion or climate action event

Climate Action Resources for Youth & Youth Educators

Climate Resilient Schools Coalition

Spring Forward Climate Education and Empowerment

Sunrise Movement

Youth Climate Summit-MIT (annual, free)

Arlington-specific Resources:

Arlington Community Media, Inc Green Teams page

Arlington EcoFest

Climate Futures Arlington

Recycling Resources for Educators & Staff

 

Classroom & Office Recycling Sign - printable pdf

Classroom & Office Recycling Instructions- printable pdf

Recycle Ink and Toner Cartridges- memo for school administrators

Textile Recycling

 All Arlington elementary and middle schools have textile recycling collection bins available for year-round collection: APSTextileBinMap. The district earns funds for every ton collected. An annual district-wide textile recycling competition promotes participation in this program.

Lunch Food Waste Diversion

The K-12 Arlington Public Schools divert hundreds of tons of food waste each year from our trash thanks to student lunch leaders, cafeteria monitors, and custodians who assist at our lunch waste sorting stations. With support from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Recycling Dividends Program, the town works with a local composting service to collect and process the district's food scraps to grow new food. Best practices for school waste reduction and diversion are informed by the Arlington School Sustainability Coordinator's participation in the state-wide Green SWoRD Working Group.

Arlington Green Teams

Arlington Green Teams at our elementary and middle schools empower and support students who want to take action to protect and preserve our natural environment. Green Teams are led by teachers who receive a stipend, parent volunteers, and the School Sustainability Coordinator. 

Green Teams help organize the annual Pumpkin Rescue event in the fall and the Textile Recycling Competition in the spring. They engage and inspire their school communities by organizing litter cleanups and fundraisers to support environmental causes, planting pollinator gardens, helping to make school events low waste, and bringing in special guests with expertise in environmental fields. 

The Arlington Green Teams receive resources and annual recognition from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Team program. If you are interested in joining the Arlington Green Teams google group and accessing our online resources, please contact the School Sustainability Coordinator.

Student-Led Waste Diversion Initiatives & EcoFair

Arlington has several high school student-led initiatives including Project Zero, Slash the Trash, and Full Circle Compost that are helping reduce single use plastics, promote reusables, and divert food waste. Arlington High School students also organize an EcoFair in the spring featuring food and ice cream, crafts, lawn games, music, and activities run by student leaders of environmental initiatives.

Zero Waste internships with Arlington's Recycling Coordinator and School Sustainability Coordinator provide Arlington students with the opportunity to assist with town and school sustainability programs. Summer 2023 interns documented the history and benefits of these programs through these case studies.  

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