AUSTIN, TX (May 30, 2024) –
On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Austin City Council approved the Generation Zero Zero Waste Youth Education Program contract with Austin Resource Recovery and Keep Austin Beautiful. Generation Zero is a free youth education program, created in partnership with Austin Resource Recovery and Keep Austin Beautiful. The program engages students from kindergarten through 12th grade in interactive activities that raise awareness about recycling, composting, and conservation, while giving students simple solutions for reducing their waste.
Generation Zero provides students and educators with the opportunity to engage in fun, hands-on sustainability-focused activities. The curriculum is TEKS-based and incorporates subject matter that easily lends itself to the classroom setting. Since the beginning of this school year, the Generation Zero program has partnered with 49 schools and reached over ten thousand students. The approval of this contract will support the City’s goal to reach zero waste by 2040 by continuing the interactive education and outreach program focused on zero waste concepts and sustainability for elementary through high school- aged students.
When asked about Generation Zero, Megan Koronka, a teacher at Doss Elementary, said, “My students get so excited during the lessons, and they are so thoughtful about things they put in the trash and recycling bins after the lesson!”
“The content was perfect for our students and they aligned with our TEKS perfectly,” said Summit Elementary teacher Emily Farnsworth. “Thank you for coming out to our school to teach our students. We all love this program so much!”
Founded in 1985, Keep Austin Beautiful is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that inspires and educates all Austinites to volunteer together, beautify green spaces, clean waterways, and reduce waste every day. Last year, Keep Austin Beautiful’s education team taught over 10,000 youth how to recycle, compost, and reduce their waste to inspire them to become the next generation of environmental leaders.
To learn more and to register for Generation Zero, click here.
