Waste Reduction and Recycling School Certification
Complete all five steps to earn certification in this pathway. To complete each step, download the form below the step, fill it out, and save as a pdf. Then, upload the pdf to this webpage using the upload button for the relevant step. GSS staff will review your uploaded form and notify you when it has been approved and when you have earned certification.
GSS School Certification Steps for San Mateo Schools
How-To Guide
Step 1. Student Participation or Classroom Certifications – Students Take Action
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Step 2. Institutional Commitment
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Step 3. Baseline Assessment
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Step 4. School Community Takes Action
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Step 5. Reflect, Celebrate, Share, and Commit
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Action Tools
Action Tools are easy to use, step-by-step calculators that allow your students to learn about the total impacts of resource consumption. Tools can be used as in-class exercises, or at home.
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GSS School Product and Purchasing Calculator
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GSS School District Recycling Calculator
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Other Resources
“How-To” Guide
Complete the following steps to get certified.
Step 1. Classroom Certifications:
25% or more of the classrooms at the school are recognized under the Green Star School (GSS) Classroom Certification Program in at least one chosen pathway (waste, energy, water, schoolyard, or transportation).
OR
25% or more of the student population has participated in the GSS Classroom Certification process that led to their classrooms being certified in at least one pathway over the past two school years.
OR
Green Team is leading waste reduction campaign to educate all students via assemblies, school announcements, poster contests, etc.
Step 2. Institutional Commitment: Commit to educating current and future students and staff about how to take action at their school in the specific pathway for which the school is seeking certification. Dedicated staff and/or administrators will form a Green Team, which will assist in the development of a best practices Policy and a long-term education Plan.
Step 3. Baseline Assessment: Perform the school-wide assessment and/or walk-through audit (note – the walk-through audit may only be required for some pathways). This task is to be performed by a Green Team of students, with the guidance of teachers, parent volunteers, and/or facilities staff. Data from previous classroom baseline assessments may be used to fill out the school-wide assessment form.
Step 4. School Community Takes Action: Students, teachers and facility staff will take action by completing all mandatory Action Projects in their certification pathway, as well as one or more “Reach for the Stars” Action Projects. Action Projects previously accomplished by classrooms within the past two years may be used toward the Reach for the Stars requirement if they had school-wide impact.
Step 5: Reflect, Celebrate, Share, and
Commit: Recognize and celebrate the actions taken at your school in the pathway in which the school is seeking certification. Complete both the mandatory celebration and mandatory annual staff briefing, as well as one or more Reach for the Stars activities. Some of the requirements may have already been accomplished by classrooms, and may count toward school certification. Commit to reducing waste at school by continuing the
practices from the Green Star Schools Certification program.
Resources Guide - Waste.pdf
Cal Recycle Website
