300,000 lbs
Since our founding in 2022, Sustainable Marin Schools has diverted ​more than 300,000 pounds of food and organic waste from landfill!

Climate Action in Schools

Schools are the heart of our communities and shape the future of our children. With the right support, schools can also help create a greener, healthier, and brighter world for our students. 
"From launching our zero waste program to supporting the amazing efforts of our Green Team in beautifying our campus and improving waste sorting, this progress wouldn't have been possible without the guidance of Sustainable Marin Schools..."
- Principal Tony Quan of Pleasant Valley Elementary

See Us in the News!

Recology Newsletter
"From Cancer Research to Climate Action: Lisa Clarke's Journey to Founding Sustainable Marin Schools"
Marin Independent Journal
Author Keri Brenner
"The work that Sustainable Marin Schools is doing to support and empower Novato's youngest residents to be stewards of our environment is truly inspiring..."
Gretchen Schubeck, ​Sustainability Coordinator for Novato ​
San Marin Pony Express
​Author Julia Owens
"Sustainable Marin Schools Sows Green Habits in NUSD"
 "Every school should have this!"
- Mr. Saul, Custodian at Loma Verde

Our Programs

Sustainable Marin Schools (SMS) is delighted to partner with the Novato Unified School District (NUSD) on this mission. ​Working within the schools, SMS helps schools reach their goals through our four main programs:
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  1. Zero Waste
  2. Environmental Literacy
  3. Campus Greening/Resilience​
  4. Energy Efficiency

Thank you!
​Thanks to the instrumental support of our school communities, SMS and NUSD have made great strides in greening our school campuses, and educating a new generation of environmentally literate and ​empowered global stewards ready to make their mark on a carbon-free future.
The People Who Make It Possible
California Climate Action Corps Fellows
SMS received a generous grant of $200,000 to support eight full-time CCAC fellows for 11 months during the 2024-2025 school year! This funding has allowed us to expand upon the remarkable achievements of the 2023-24 fellows in areas such as Zero Waste, Environmental Literacy, and Campus Greening/Resilience. Thank you for your hard work! ​

​Celebrating Success in Our Schools  

Sustainable Marin Schools is proud of our work in partnership with Novato schools in the 2023-2024 year. 
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Here are some of the things we’ve been up to!​​
  • Invested over $600,000 in grants into environmental literacy, campus greening and outdoor learning spaces in Novato schools.
  • Launched recycling and composting programs in four elementary schools and Novato High.
  • Provided the infrastructure for waste sorting stations and classroom recycling/composting in four elementary schools and Novato High.
  • Trained 1,000+ students how to recycle and compost waste at home and at school.
  • Empowered student leaders to direct their own recycling and composting program at school.
  • Implemented bulk milk dispensers in three elementary schools, cutting milk waste in half.
  • Redistributed 1,000+ lbs of edible food within the school community and with local food banks.​
  • Diverted over 85,000 lbs of organic waste from the landfill to composting facilities.
  • Created/Expanded Green Teams and Environmental Literacy in three elementary schools.
  • Supported high school environmental club members in reaching their climate action goals.  
  • Partnered with Safe Routes to Schools advocating for green trips to schools.  
  • Brought four schools compliance with mandatory state laws regarding composting food waste (SB 1383).
​The Bill Behind It All

Approximately half of the billion pounds of trash generated by California TK-12 schools and universities is estimated to be organic waste. A state bill called SB 1383 (Organic Waste and Edible Food Recovery Program) has set standards for recovering, diverting and recycling organic waste to reduce the amount of methane, a short-lived climate pollutant emitted when unrecovered organic waste decomposes in our landfills.  
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Pictured: Just one day of compost from a Novato elementary school.
Pictured: Just one day of compost from a Novato elementary school.
The main goals of SB 1383 are:
  • Expand the definition of organic waste to include food scraps, landscape and pruning waste; 
  • Reduce organic waste disposal 75% by 2025; and
  • Divert and rescue at least 20% of edible and surplus food currently disposed for people to eat by 2025.
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SB 1383 applies to all local education agencies, including TK-12 public and charter schools, school districts, and County offices of education (not subject to the control of city or county solid waste regulations). 

Mandatory implementation and compliance with SB 1383 for schools is effective as of January 1, 2024.

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​© Sustainable Marin Schools 2025