Lakewood launches Zero Waste School Program

Dec. 2, 2025 - They say kids like to play with their food, and a new Lakewood program will turn that into real pay dirt to help the planet.

In a groundbreaking partnership with Jeffco Public Schools, Lakewood’s Sustainability, Climate and Zero Waste Division has launched the first Zero Waste School Program in the city with Rose Stein International Elementary School. The program teaches school staff and students how to separate their leftover lunch items into the proper receptables for recycling and composting as part of an all-out effort to send zero lunch waste to the landfill.

After months of planning and training, Rose Stein students and staff kicked off the program in September, and the results were immediate. In just one week, the school composted more than 1,000 pounds of food waste and slashed cafeteria trash from six bags a day to just one.

With help from Colorado-based nonprofit Eco-Cycle, the school joined the ranks of over 100 Green Star Schools across the Front Range. Even more importantly, every year going forward, the waste reduction education is part of the curriculum, breaking down composting and recycling for kids through the partnership with EcoCycle.

"Our vision is to bring this program to every major school in Lakewood and evolve it to include more community members along the way,” said Em J Jackson, Lakewood’s zero waste & circularity planner. “The impact will be both immediate and long term. Integrating zero waste foundations into early education helps students form habits they take home with them, share with their families and bring to their next school."

The program will expand to one new school each academic year, with elementary schools prioritized followed by middle schools. The school will be selected to participate each year by Jeffco Public Schools leadership in conjunction with the City of Lakewood. Schools can self-nominate to join the program and will be selected based on readiness and potential for success.

The program is funded by Colorado’s mandated bag fees, which are to be dedicated to waste diversion programs.

With one school at a time, Lakewood is growing a greener future, starting with our youngest changemakers.