Though the growing strain that human development is placing on the earth’s resources is an issue many people prefer to think of as ‘someone else’s problem,’ local students and teachers have made it clear that when it comes to doing the right thing by the environment, they are ready and willing to do their part.

Six Issaquah School District schools have been recognized by King County for their commitment to recycling and conservation.

Beaver Lake Middle, Clark, Endeavour, and Newcastle elementary schools, and Liberty High School, recently completed the county’s level 1 Green Schools Program, initiating or improving recycling programs and focusing on waste reduction strategies such as decreasing paper use.

Issaquah Middle School completed level 2 of the program, by engaging in energy conservation practices such as turning off lights in unoccupied rooms.

The award-winning Green Schools Program, which has helped more than 400 schools since its inception in 2003, provides hands-on assistance, recycling containers and stickers, as well as the support schools need to engage students and staff in conservation.

Simple steps, such as recycling and setting aside food scraps for collection, add up to big benefits. Thanks to the program, hundreds of schools now recycle 40 to 70 percent of their solid waste and more than 60 schools recycle food scraps.

Program manager Dale Alekel said many participating schools and districts report cuts in operating expenses by maintaining successful waste reduction and recycling programs and reducing energy and water use.