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Frozen Berries

Zero Waste Week

November 1st through 5th is Zero Waste Week in Berkeley Unified School District!

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Use this page for information and resources on how to participate in the week-long challenge, and click this link for a PDF version of the Zero Waste Week Bingo. If you win you can receive a gift card! The available gift cards are:

Fillgood Store $20
High Wire Coffee $20
Third Culture Bakery-Berkeley $25
Sliver Pizza $25
Toss Noodle Bar $25 

Information

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Purpose

Zero Waste Week is a school-driven, week-long campaign to reduce waste on school campuses with the intention of moving towards zero waste. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of waste. Whilst it’s important to consider all types of environmental waste and how we can reduce it, we want to shine a light on plastic waste and food waste. This will be a great opportunity to raise school and community awareness about how we all can reduce waste and be better stewards of the environment.

Information on BUSD Sustainability

The Diversion Rate is the percent of waste diverted from the landfill by recycling and composting. BUSD’s goal for diversion across the district is 80%.

Recycling Bottles

How to Participate

Reduce plastic when eating

Tofu Salad

  • Bring your own utensils, cloth napkins, and/or metal straws when getting takeout

  • Pack a lunch in reusable containers

    • Recycled containers and jars​

    • Tupperwares

    • Reusable lunch bag or box

    • Wax cloth instead of plastic bags or saran wrap

    • Cloth napkins

  • Ask for no plastic bag, plastic utensils, plastic straws, or paper napkins when getting takeout

  • Use a reusable water bottle

  • Make coffee and tea at home instead of at a cafe

Reduce waste in hygiene

  • Wear a cloth face mask

  • Avoid excessive paper towel and toilet paper use

  • Use plastic-free hygiene and beauty products

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Read our full list of zero/low waste beauty and hygiene brands and products

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DIY Face Mask
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Reduce waste when shopping

  • Buy items in bulk 

    • Bring reusable containers for bulk if possible​

  • Bring your own reusable grocery bags

  • Bring your own reusable produce bags

  • Buy items used instead of new

Reduce food waste

  • Pack leftovers in your lunch

  • Use the parts of food that are often thrown out in recipes, for example:

    • Roasted pumpkin seeds​

    • Roasted squash peels

    • Carrot top pesto

    • Banana peel pulled "pork"

  • Freeze food before it goes bad

  • Plan meals ahead of time to avoid making too much

Zero Waste Kitchen
Cowshed

Reduce meat consumption

Climate literacy resolution

The climate literacy resolution entails the creation of a curriculum that educates students about how humans are harming the earth, the causes and impacts of climate change, and the solutions and responses to the climate crisis, so that all students graduate being climate literate.​

Meat requires an immense amount of resources and greenhouse gas emissions to produce. By reducing your meat consumption, you can save water, prevent deforestation, and decrease carbon emissions.

  • Make plant-based recipes​​

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  • Get a Meatless Monday discount by ordering a vegetarian or vegan menu option from one of these 3 restaurants on Mondays (must show student ID)

    • The Happy Hooligans - 20% off

    • Crave Subs - 15% off

    • Toss Noodle Bar - 10% off

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