Clean Memphis

Memphis is a national success story! 🎉 World Wildlife Fund's 2026 Food Waste Warriors report just dropped, and Clean Memphis' work is featured as a success story. Here's what our students have built since 2019:
🍎 Fourth graders run two-day wasted food audits in their own cafeterias
📊 They analyze the data themselves with Clean Memphis teachers
📣 Then they design poster campaigns to convince their classmates
The results are measurably less plate waste and less unopened milk in the trash, with more than 1,200 pounds of healthy food shared with Memphis students in one year

And from Mayor Paul Young in the report: "Clean Memphis and Project Green Fork are teaching our young people about wasted food and are helping them make choices that benefit their community... This work is helping build a more sustainable Memphis and raise more compassionate young people."

We're sending a HUGE "thank you" to Memphis - Shelby County Schools Nutrition Services, and to every principal, teacher, and cafeteria staffer who makes this work possible!

Want to join the party but aren't planning to run in this year's 4-Miler? Join the Cooper Young Community Association in making this annual event zero waste! There are still volunteer shifts open to help with Zero Waste stations at the 4-Miler after party. Sign up at https://www.givepulse.com/event/907526 .

Calling all volunteers! We need your help for our annual 4-Miler race, coming up in 2 short weeks on September 18! Sign up to help us out and you'll get free swag, and if you sign up to volunteer at the after party site, free pizza & b**r (for 21+)! Come lend a hand and kick off festival weekend with our party under the trestle!

https://www.givepulse.com/event/907526

Want free entry to FedEx St. Jude Championship? Volunteer with Clean Memphis to help sort recyclables on-site – and stay to enjoy the tournament after your shift! It’s a fun way to make an impact (and see some amazing golf).

📅 August 13–17
🕒 Multiple shifts available
👉 Sign up now on Volunteer Odyssey: https://serve.volunteerodyssey.com/group/124355

Freedom gives us the opportunity to build, serve, create, and grow together. Wishing you a meaningful and memorable Independence Day.

Congratulations to the Whitehaven Kroger team on its Grand Re-Opening! 🎉

Clean Memphis was honored to be recognized as a community partner during today's celebration and are grateful for Kroger's continued investment in creating a healthier, more sustainable Memphis.

As part of the event, Kroger presented a $5,000 check in support of the annual Project Green Fork Reharvest event! Thank you to Kroger for your partnership and for championing initiatives that make a lasting impact.

Together, we're building a more sustainable future for Memphis. 💚♻️

School may be out for the summer, but environmental learning doesn't stop when the final bell rings. 🌱☀️

Clean Memphis' education team gives students the knowledge and tools they need to make a difference at school, at home, and in their communities. From reducing food waste and recycling correctly to protecting local ecosystems, the lessons students learn today can become lifelong habits tomorrow.

Summer in Memphis means one thing: stay hydrated. ☀️💧 This summer's must-have accessory? A reusable water bottle. 🌎♻️

One of the easiest ways to reduce waste and save money is to carry a reusable water bottle wherever you go. By refilling instead of reaching for single-use plastic bottles, you're making a simple choice that's better for both you and the environment.

What happens when students are empowered to reduce food waste? Real results. ♻️

Join us on July 16 for a special professional development event highlighting the success of the Food Waste Warriors initiative and the growing movement to reduce cafeteria waste across Memphis-Shelby County Schools - MSCS.

Hear directly from school leaders, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Nutrition Services, Clean Memphis educators, and representatives from WWF as we share lessons learned, measurable outcomes, and what's next for school-based sustainability efforts.

Whether you're an educator, administrator, school support staff member, or community partner, you'll leave with practical ideas, proven strategies, and inspiration to help students become environmental leaders in their own schools.

Together, we're turning cafeterias into classrooms and creating lasting change one student at a time. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YcBteClKMV-5jtTmgiHVcXF8KpOAzGCB97efIQ46eMc/viewform?edit_requested=true

Our refreshed site will better reflect Clean Memphis’ visual brand while making it easier to explore our programs, community impact, educational initiatives, and sustainability resources. From neighborhood beautification to food waste reduction and environmental education, this space will more clearly showcase the work happening across Memphis every day. Stay tuned!