Now in its ninth year (2017–2026), AWARE has continued to deliver Zero Waste School Workshops on behalf of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. The workshops aim to help students understand the importance of waste reduction, equip them with knowledge of recycling systems, and inspire simple, practical actions toward a zero waste lifestyle. Since the program’s launch in 2017/18, when 16 workshops engaged 372 students, the initiative has grown significantly in reach and impact. In the 2025/26 school year, AWARE delivered 48 workshops across 14 schools in Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Mount Currie, and Lillooet, engaging 896 students. The AWARE electric van also clocked 2324 kms travelling to deliver these across the region. The workshops have evolved continuously to better meet curriculum needs, deepen student engagement, and reflect the region’s zero waste goals.
“I love having this presentation come in every year as it is so important for our students to teach their families on how to manage our waste more effectively. Thank you for all that you do.” – Katie McIntyre, Grade 7 teacher, Don Ross Middle School, Squamish
The Zero Waste School Workshops are directly aligned with AWARE’s organizational goal of building a sustainable and climate resilient community. The SLRD goals include:
- Increase Awareness and Knowledge: Deepen students’ understanding of local, regional, and global waste management challenges and reduction opportunities.
- Promote Action and Empowerment: Equip students and teachers with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to reduce waste at school, home, and in their communities.
- Strengthen Regional Branding: Continue building the Love This Place, Reduce Your Waste brand to reinforce its connection to local waste reduction efforts and foster community engagement.
- Engage Educators: Support teachers and school staff in aligning classroom waste systems with regional best practices, integrating waste reduction into daily routines.
- Sustain Program Growth and Adaptation: Keep the program engaging and flexible, evolving in response to changing waste management needs and feedback.
Our workshops are designed to actively engage students in learning about waste reduction, recycling, and composting, while keeping environmental impact low. We also offer a food waste and composting specific workshop for a high school Foods Course. For younger students, especially those in Grade 4 and below, the focus is on hands-on participation and interactive learning. This could include a physical sorting game, a jeopardy-style online quiz for Grade 6 and above, a food save fridge game and a two part waste challenge where students are provided with a small white container and encouraged to generate as little waste as possible over five days by improving their recycling and composting habits and switching to reusable items.
“One of my students was so inspired, that she went home telling her parents she wants a lunch box and reusable containers instead of the ziploc bags she had been using everyday.” – Kindergarten Teacher, Squamish Elementary
“The students loved the jeopardy game!”
“We put the different bins around the room, and gave everyone something to sort. This got them up and moving, and created some discussion. Many of my students are struggling readers, and this let them help one another out.”
To conclude, the 2025/26 school year marked another successful chapter for the Zero Waste Education Workshops. The program continues to raise awareness and actively engage both students and educators in meaningful waste reduction efforts. By incorporating teacher feedback and evolving workshop formats, the program is helping to foster lasting, sustainable habits within school communities and we look forward to continuing to deliver them for the next school year.
