DNRP > SWD > Education & Schools Assistance > Green Schools Program > FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What organization sponsors the King County Green Schools program?
2. May our school or school district receive assistance if we do not want to or cannot meet the program criteria?
3. Are private schools in King County eligible to participate?
4. Can students take charge of the school’s participation in the program if teachers and other staff are not available?
5. How often should our Green School’s team meet?
6. Will a King County Green Schools representative visit our school?
7. Does King County charge a fee for participation in the program?
8. Can our school receive containers and signs if it does not participate in the program?
9. What types of recycling containers are required to participate in the program?
10. Will both a school and its school district receive assistance if they are both participating in the program?
11. Are we required to start with improving waste reduction and recycling practices (level one of the program), or can we start with another conservation category?
12. How long does it take a school or school district to complete level one?
13. How long does it take a school or school district to complete levels two and three?
14. How can we connect with other schools or districts that are participating in the program?

1. What organization sponsors the King County Green Schools program?

The program is part of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Solid Waste Division, Recycling and Environmental Services Section. Funding for the program comes from the Solid Waste Division.

2. May our school or school district receive assistance if we do not want to or cannot meet the program criteria?

Yes, schools and school districts that do not meet the program criteria are still eligible to receive assistance.

3. Are private schools in King County eligible to participate?

Yes, both public and private K – 12 schools in King County (outside the City of Seattle) are eligible to participate in the program.

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4. Can students take charge of the school’s participation in the program if teachers and other staff are not available?

It is important to involve students, but each participating school must include on its Green Schools team at least two staff members such as a teacher, principal, custodian, or other administrator. Parents also may assist.

5. How often should our Green School’s team meet?

We recommend a monthly meeting.

6. Will a King County Green Schools representative visit our school?

Yes. A King County Green Schools Program representative will visit each school twice during level one of the program. The representative is available for one year to assist a school with level one. The first visit includes an assessment of the school’s recycling and waste reduction practices, and will be followed by recommendations detailing what the school should do to make improvements. The second visit can include a staff meeting presentation, assistance with a recycling and waste reduction kick-off event, and/or participation in a Green Schools team meeting to help with problem solving and planning.

During levels two and three, a King County representative will make one site visit for each level. The representative is available for a total of one year to assist a school with levels two and three.

Completion of all three program levels is expected to take a total of two years. A King County representative will be available for a total of two years to assist a school with levels one, two and three.

7. Does King County charge a fee for participation in the program?

No, there is no charge to participate in the program.

If your school or district needs recycling containers, the Green Schools Program supplies 80 percent of the cost of containers, up to $250 per school. Therefore a 20 percent match is required from either the school or district.

Your school or district may voluntarily decide to purchase energy or water efficient equipment or to take other actions that cost money. Such purchases often lower long-term operating or utility costs. When possible, the King County Green Schools Program will refer schools to partner agencies that might be able to provide discounted materials and support to schools.

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8. Can our school receive containers and signs if it does not participate in the program?

No. Only Green Schools Program participants can receive recycling containers and signs.

9. What types of recycling containers are required to participate in the program?

The program provides containers from KCDA, the purchasing cooperative used by many King County school districts. King County will purchase 80 percent of the containers needed by a participating school, up to a total of $250.

Recycling containers (Microsoft Word document, 198 k) may be needed in the following areas: classrooms; lunchrooms or cafeterias; hallways or other central areas; kitchens; staff lounges; offices; outdoor fields. The program also provides recycling signs (PDF, 271 K) that adhere to the recycling containers.

10. Will both a school and its school district receive assistance if they are both participating in the program?

Yes. When a school district participates in the program, each school in the district is eligible to receive assistance. However, an individual public school can participate in the program even if its school district is not participating. A school district can participate and receive assistance even if all of its schools do not participate. To receive recognition as a King County Green School District, level one, at least 75 percent of a district’s schools must participate in the program and meet the school criteria in level one.

11. Are we required to start with improving waste reduction and recycling practices (level one of the program), or can we start with another conservation category?

To receive recognition as a King County Green School or King County Green School District, schools and districts first must meet the criteria in level one, which focuses on recycling and waste reduction. Schools and districts can make improvements in energy conservation, water conservation and/or other conservation categories while also making changes in recycling and waste reduction.

Schools and school districts that do not meet the program criteria are still eligible to receive assistance.

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12. How long does it take a school or school district to complete level one?

Typically, each participant can complete level one in one school year. Each school or district, though, can make improvements at its own pace. However, a King County Green Schools Program representative is available to help each participant with level one for one year, and therefore each participant is encouraged to take advantage of this assistance during its first year of participation in the program.

13. How long does it take a school or school district to complete levels two and three?

Participants can complete levels two and three in one year, although each participating school and district can make improvements at its own pace. A King County Green Schools Program representative is available for a total of two years to help each participant with levels one, two and three.

14. How can we connect with other schools or districts that are participating in the program?

All current and past participants are listed on the Web site. Schools are encouraged to contact each other to share successes and ideas. The program will host a King County Green Schools gathering in 2009 or 2010, and all participants will be invited.