Austin ISD is aligned with the City of Austin's zero waste goal to re-circularize (e.g. recycle, compost, share) over 90% of our surplus and waste by 2040. AISD is also committed to improving equity and reducing environmental and climate impact through our purchasing.To accomplish this, Austin ISD has several initiatives underway:
- A comprehensive recycling and organic composting program that includes:
- Recycling at every school,
- Food waste composting in every cafeteria,
- Recycling and composting at our athletics facilities,
- Recycling AISD special wastes, like e-waste and batteries,
- Eliminating styrofoam trays in cafeterias district-wide by converting to reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable trays.
- A community zero waste toolkit with guidance and resources
- An AISD BLEND Zero Waste class with resources like
- Kahoot games
- Sorting slide shows
- Access to Ecorise TEKS-aligned zero waste lessons for each grade
- Waste audit guidance
- Recycling and composting data available for each school
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Offering campuses recycling and compost bins by request (AISD login only)
Live or online bilingual sorting training by request for campuses (AISD login only)
Partner Resources
NWF’s Eco‐Schools USA program is a nationwide program that engages Pre K‐12 school students, faculty, administrators and community volunteers in a comprehensive, environment‐based program to improve student environmental literacy and skills.
- Schools can use the waste pathway to become a National Wildlife Federation Eco-School.
Keep Austin Beautiful Generation Zero: Generation Zero is an in-class youth education program that engages K-12 students in fun, interactive activities which raise awareness about recycling, composting, and conservation. Program includes three Keep Austin Beautiful staff-led service learning activities.
