Jesse G. Sánchez Elementary School:
Recipient of the 2020 Outstanding School Recycling Program Award
Congratulations to Jesse G. Sánchez School in Salinas! The school has been selected by the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) to receive the 2020 Outstanding School Recycling Program Award.

The school was nominated by Salinas Valley Recycles (SVR) in recognition of the outstanding work of staff and students in implementing programs to reduce waste on campus. The school is the first in the Salinas Valley to implement comprehensive food waste collection and edible food recovery programs.
 
Implementing the plan was a collaboration between the Alisal Union School District’s Nutrition Services, Jesse G. Sánchez School, and SVR. SVR identified the greatest opportunities to eliminate waste through recycling, reuse and edible food recovery, to divert cafeteria waste from the landfill. Sustainable strategies included the Traveling Apple Policy, Food Sharing Rack, Milk Waste Collection, Milk Carton Recycling, Food Waste Composting, Mixed Recycling, and Reusable Trays & Reusable Sporks.
 
The award will be presented in August at the CRRA’s Annual (virtual) Conference and Principal Roberto Rodríguez-Flores has been invited to accept the award and deliver a brief presentation .
Increasing Food Recovery in Monterey County:
New Food Truck for the Food Bank
Due to the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic and the significant increased demand on the Food Bank for Monterey County's services, SVR's Board of Directors approved the purchase of an additional refrigerated food truck. 

The Food Bank recently reported that they distributed a six-month supply of food in seven weeks. This 26ft refrigerated truck will allow for increased recovery and distribution of edible food to those residents in need within Monterey County and the surrounding communities. This action will also support SVR's and member agency’s mandates under SB 1383 to increase recovery of food and prevent landfilling of edible food.
Congratulations to our 2019- 2020 Wally Waste-Not Award Recipients!!
Every year, Salinas Valley Recycles awards $2,000 to schools that apply to participate in the Wally Waste-Not program and successfully completes 26 activities to reduce waste.

We want to thank this year's recipients for doing a great job and caring for our environment. These 4 schools have made incredible changes to conserve resources and promote a "green" school culture.
  • Chualar Union Elementary School
  • Frank Ledesma Elementary School, Soledad
  • Dual Immersion Academy of Salinas
  • Mexican American Opportunity Foundation -Gonzales Early Learning Center
Wally answers one readers question about how to keep up good zero waste habits and goals during the pandemic. C heck out this installment of Dear Wally to find out more. Please email us at media@svswa.org with your questions.
Composting Workshops, Tire Amnesty, and Cleanup Events have been postponed until further notice.
Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Stay Home. Wash Your Hands. Maintain Social Distance.
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