“When kids are made to be conscious of their waste, they are more likely to grow up and remain conscious.” – Kendal Valois
We are thrilled to welcome Kendal Valois to the PCC team this summer as our Development Intern. Kendal is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Sustainability Studies. Below, Kendal shares advice on how to involve kids in zero-waste practices at home and reflects on the ripple effects that waste management can have in our schools, particularly when helmed by passionate, committed staff or student leaders.
Who along the way has inspired or supported your interest in green leadership?
When I was younger, I vividly remember my grandfather being an avid recycler – going as far as stopping on the highway to pick up stray cardboard and recycle it (do not try this). He was adamant about putting things in the right waste stream and not wasting any resources, much like the rest of his generation. His resolve for limiting what goes to the landfill truly inspired me to pursue sustainability studies and to better understand how we can collectively get better at limiting our environmental impact.
For your Capstone project at UT Austin, you interned with Austin ISD’s Food Services Department. What did you find out? Why is waste management such an important piece of the sustainability puzzle?
One key takeaway from auditing waste practices in Austin ISD was that district-wide success depends on internal commitment. Schools with student groups or staff who were personally invested in sustainability—such as recycling, composting, and proper landfill use—were more likely to follow district procedures properly.
Effective waste management in schools not only supports sustainability but also teaches students and staff to be mindful of their consumption and its environmental impact.
Any tips or recommended activities for families looking to reduce waste together at home?
Some tips for reducing waste as a family include setting up sorting stations for trash, recycling, and compost, packing waste-free lunches, thrifting or swapping clothes, and buying pantry staples in bulk. You can turn sorting into a fun game by letting kids decorate the bins. Lunches can be packed with reusable containers, cloth napkins, and metal utensils. Thrifting for clothes or setting up a neighborhood clothes swap not only limits textile waste, you can also find unique items that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Buying items in bulk reduces waste by limiting the need to repurchase as often, and it also saves you time and money. When kids are made to be conscious of their waste, they are more likely to grow up and remain conscious (coming from personal experience).
Looking for more zero-waste resources? Check out PCC Board Member Olya Sukhopar’s thrifting guide, head to Keep Austin Beautiful’s Generation Zero Waste for hands-on activities, or subscribe to our partner Plastic Reduction Project’s newsletter for tips and updates.