Eco-Cycle’s Green Star Program began in spring 2005, empowering students to take ownership of their school environment to reduce waste, increase composting and recycling and consider individual impact on the environment.

Although the program is in several schools across the district, the program is solidly in place throughout the Silver Creek Feeder Schools — Eagle Crest Elementary, Blue Mountain Elementary, Longmont Estates Elementary and Altona Middle School. More than a dozen St. Vrain Valley School District, or SVVSD, schools participate in the Green Star program, including Hygiene, Lyons, Columbine, Red Hawk, Central and Niwot elementary schools, Coal Ridge Middle School, Lyons Middle Senior High School and Niwot High School.

“This is absolutely not mandatory for our district, but it’s a great incentive for our kids,” said Kelly Kinsman, environmental, health and safety manager for SVVSD.