$1000 Green Grant Awarded to Arrowhead Elementary
Arrowhead Elementary School in Virginia Beach is awarded a $1,000 Green Grant in the Recycling and Waste Reduction category as part of Keep Virginia Beautiful’s 15th Annual Green Grants program.
Every year, government, non-profit, civic, and service organizations in Virginia are invited to apply for grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 that will help address an environmental concern in their community. Grants must focus on one of the following priorities: Litter Prevention, Recycling & Waste Reduction, Cigarette Litter Prevention & Recycling, or Community Beautification.
Arrowhead Elementary School opened in 1964, just a year after the City of Virginia Beach was created. The school established itself not only as a leader in education but as a center for community activities. The school involves families in the education of their children. The fully accredited school currently serves a diverse group of 500 young learners in grades pre-K through five.
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools Sustainable Schools Committee invited Arrowhead Elementary to participate in the Zero Waste Challenge, a student-led design initiative aimed at reducing waste in school cafeterias and classrooms. The Zero Waste Challenge is a dynamic, hands-on program where students work together to design and implement strategies to reduce waste at school. From cafeteria practices to classroom materials, students will explore creative ways to cut down on waste, reuse resources, and promote recycling. Students have already explored options such as reducing single-use plastics, encouraging reusable containers, and designing recycling stations. Arrowhead has teamed up with the Garden Club to lead the student design.
Two solutions have been identified: a 64-gallon toter Compost Kiosk from Tidewater Compost with weekly bin pick-up for composting and Terracycle recycling collection and processing for common lunchroom packaging. Grant funds will support these solutions.
Once students better understand ways they might Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Regenerate in their own daily life, they will also see opportunities for the school to improve processes and help them reduce waste as well. Students will be leading by example and spreading these good habits to other students, staff, and family members.
