Transforming School Waste into Sustainable Solutions: SWEP's Role in Empowering TTUSD Students
- Simone Tenorio
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
At SWEP, we often get asked, “Do you manage the schools’ trash?” The answer is... not quite. Our role isn’t hauling away garbage—it’s empowering students, staff, and administrators to rethink how they handle waste. By improving the way schools sort and manage waste, we’re helping reduce landfill contributions and carbon emissions, prevent pollution, and build a culture of sustainability.
When we work with Truckee Tahoe Unified School District (TTUSD), we collaborate closely with administrators, custodial teams, food services staff, and, of course, students. Together, we identify opportunities to improve the waste stream—from classroom recycling to cafeteria composting—and develop practical systems that work in real school environments. Each small improvement is a win for the school community. And when students bring these practices home, it’s a win-win: families can extend mindful waste management into their daily lives.
Our partnership with TTUSD began in response to legislative bills AB 827 and SB 1383, the regulations of which went into effect in 2020 and 2022, respectively. These laws required schools to comply with new waste-reduction and recycling standards, but they did so without providing funding or ready-made solutions. That’s where SWEP stepped in: to support schools in navigating these requirements and creating hands-on systems that truly function on the ground.
We are especially grateful to the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District, Truckee Tahoe Airport Community Partner, Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation, Keep Truckee Green, and Placer County, whose multi-year funding have been foundational to our Organic Waste Diversion programming.
Thanks to their support:
School cafeterias now use reusable trays, cutlery, and cups, replacing thousands of single-use items, supported by dishwashing trays for the new cups and food trays.
Food processors help streamline meal preparation and reduce waste.
Milk dispensers have reduced the need for disposable cartons.
Food recovery systems allow uneaten, untouched food to be safely saved for hungry students rather than thrown away.
Over 1,320 reusable bento boxes have already been distributed to students, enabling them to pack zero-waste lunches—with more planned for this school year.
All schools now have shareware collections (reusable plates, cups, and utensils) that staff and students use for school gatherings, celebrations, and events—eliminating mountains of single-use party supplies.
Our approach is not about highlighting what’s going wrong; it’s about showing what’s possible when a community works together. By teaching the school community to sort waste thoughtfully and minimize what goes to landfill, we’re fostering long-term environmental responsibility. Every properly sorted item, every composted meal, every recovered snack, every reusable tray and bento box, and every shareware-powered gathering helps create cleaner, healthier schools and neighborhoods.
At the heart of our work is empowerment. We’re helping students, staff, and families see the meaningful impact they can make. Mindful waste management isn’t just about compliance—it’s about imagining and building a more sustainable future for our region.
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