Sustainability at Seattle Academy: Making a Lasting Impact with Reuse

Overview

Seattle Academy (SAAS), an independent middle and high school, transformed a student’s idea into a campus-wide reuse program to cut waste, lower emissions, and reshape daily habits. In partnership with Bold Reuse, the school replaced single-use and compostable foodware with durable alternatives, preventing thousands of items from entering landfills each month. The result is more than an operational change; it is a cultural shift that proves how bold ideas backed by collaboration can create lasting environmental impact.

The Challenge: Building a Truly Sustainable System

SAAS had long embraced sustainability, relying on compostable and biodegradable plates in its cafeteria. Despite being considered eco-friendly, these items present significant challenges. They frequently end up in the wrong waste streams, resulting in increased landfill methane emissions and exacerbating the problem of single-use waste. Addressing these issues is essential for truly sustainable practices.

During the 2022-23 school year, Seattle Academy senior Griffin Schwartz recognized the hidden harm of single-use items (including compostables), such as contamination and greenhouse gas emissions, and saw an opportunity for meaningful change. Driven to be part of the solution to the global waste crisis, Schwartz championed a transformative approach: introduce a reuse system that could significantly reduce waste and resource consumption at Seattle Academy.

Making Reuse a Reality

Schwartz’s journey began with deep research into Seattle schools' waste management practices. His findings revealed a significant amount of compostable waste being improperly disposed of and contaminating waste streams. Schwartz collaborated with Bold Reuse and SAAS Chief Operating Officer Todd Johnson to test the feasibility of reusable plates and bowls at the SAAS cafeteria and implement a program to reduce single-use waste on campus, while educating students about the benefits of reuse and environmental stewardship.

Key actions included:

• In-Depth Research: Documenting waste production and the potential impact of switching to reusable options.

• Expert Collaboration: Partnering with Bold Reuse to design and implement an actionable plan tailored to the school’s needs.

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Demonstrating how reuse would outperform compostables in both environmental impact and long-term financial savings.

• Leadership Engagement: Presenting a compelling proposal to the head of operations, earning approval, and launching the program within weeks.

  
  

The Solution: A Reusable Program

With Bold Reuse’s support, Seattle Academy transitioned from compostables to a reusable foodware system. This innovative solution eliminated the need for single-use plates and bowls, establishing a less wasteful cafeteria model.

Steps Taken:

1. Identify the Problem: Analyzed the environmental and operational inefficiencies of compostables.

2. Develop the Plan: Created a practical reuse program leveraging Bold Reuse’s expertise and support.

3. Secure Leadership Approval: Provided a clear roadmap and cost-benefit justification to stakeholders.

4. Launch the Initiative: Collaborated with students, staff, and leadership to implement the program smoothly.

Impact

• An average of more than 4,000 single-use items monthly diverted from landfills.

• Composting habits of students improved, leading to reduced methane emissions from landfills. The program reduced confusion and contamination in waste streams by streamlining waste management.

• Reinforced the school’s sustainability goals while empowering students to take actionable steps in environmental stewardship.

Seattle Academy’s reuse initiative, driven by Griffin Schwartz and implemented with Bold Reuse, sets a powerful example for schools nationwide. This successful case demonstrates how reuse can transform waste management practices, reduce negative environmental impacts, and inspire a culture of sustainability within educational institutions. These results also show what’s possible when schools commit to systemic change.