Keep Austin Beautiful has recognized Austin ISD as a leader in the goal of becoming a zero-waste city.

This spring, Keep Austin Beautiful teamed up with Austin Resource Recovery to support the Austin Recycles Games, a competition from December to April initiated by Austin Resource Recovery as a way to increase recycling rates and help residents understand what is and is not recyclable.

KAB's recognition highlighted the district's zero-waste principles, including the introduction of recycling and composting at AISD facilities—every facility and campus in AISD has access to single-stream recycling, and all elementaries and some middle schools compost cafeteria waste.

The initiative showcases how student leaders are encouraging their neighbors and motivating their families to increase their recycling rates, thereby moving the city closer to its zero-waste goal.

"Discussions at schools have broadened beyond recycling; schools want to know how to become zero-waste campuses," AISD Sustainability Coordinator Jen Cregar told KAB. "This shift toward sustainability is an integral piece of the puzzle in helping Austin meet its broader zero waste goal. We are educating our school communities that anything you recycle at school, can be recycled at home and vice versa."

Standout efforts from Eastside Memorial High School and Small Middle School are featured in their respective blog links.

The interview with Cregar and more on the district's overall commitment to the cause is highlighted on the Keep Austin Beautiful blog.