Sustainable School Operations Deborah Moore Green Schools Initiative December 2008

The Context

The Hope

Green Schools Report Card: Pollution & Environmental Quality 50% of schools in U.S. have problems linked to poor indoor air quality; asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness

Education buildings use 13% of total energy used in US Typical school emits nearly 2,000 tons/yr of carbon from transportation, energy & water use Green Schools Report Card: Energy & Climate

Green Schools Report Card: Garbage Waste from schools is ~ 4% of municipal waste Food waste and paper comprise majority of garbage; Few schools practice the 4R’s or buy recycled

Children are most susceptible Developing body & lungs Greater exposures from higher metabolism, breathing rates Bodies cannot detoxify as adults More active, hand-to-mouth Exposures affect development, learning, and lifetime health

Schools’ environmental education message to kids: “Do as I say, not as I do”

Rotor near pollution

Why Do We Need Green and Healthy Schools? Save money! Especially energy, hazardous waste handling, absenteeism, workman’s compensation – savings can be used to fund other programs Improve children’s health, especially asthma Increase academic achievement and student performance Benefit larger community and global health and environment Empowering kids to make a difference Teaching kids environmental and health values that will stay with them for life

How to Create Green Schools 1.Green School Committee 2.Environmental Vision Statement 3.Environmental Assessment 4.Action Plan 5.Curriculum 6.Monitoring & Evaluation 7.Informing, Involving & Celebrating! Adapted from: Eco-Schools International

Step 3: Garbage Audit

Results of Garbage Audit Recyclables currently Garbage Recyclingthrown out TABLE 3: Estimates of Total Waste GeneratedPoundsTonsPoundsTonsPoundsTons Estimate of 1 day of waste at Tapscott Estimate of weight of 1 week of waste (5 days) Estimate of 1 month of waste (20 days) 1, Estimate of 1 school-year of waste (180 days) 15, , , Estimate of 1 school-year of waste on both campuses30, , , (Note: these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) Three years later, the school has reduced its daily garbage to about 2 pounds

Students analyze and communicate results to the whole school The Power of Information

Paper Audit Estimate school paper use by: –Weighing paper recycled –Interviewing office staff about paper purchased Analyze costs and benefits of different strategies for reducing paper waste, increasing recycling, and buying recycled paper Implement solutions Monitor ongoing paper use and estimate costs and benefits of savings

Results of Paper Cost-Benefit Analysis Current – 0% recycled paper 30% recycled paper 100% recycled paper Cartons per year124 Price per carton$34.99$35.99$45.99 Price per year + tax $4,339$4,463$5,703 Difference$124$1,240 Trees used Energy used GHG emitted mil BTUs 17.6K lbs CO2 eq mil BTUs 15.6K lbs CO2 eq 0 67 mil BTUs 11.1K lbs CO2 eq Sources: prices from Staples; resource uses from by Environmental Defense.

Using results to test ideas, influence decisions

Create Action Plan Greening Buildings & Operations New Buildings: CHPS Green Cleaning Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Energy & Water Conservation, Renewable Energy, Transport Waste reduction Food Service Green Schoolyards

Those who say it can’t be done Should not interrupt those already doing it -- Chinese proverb

You have to be the change You want to see in the world -- Ghandi

Contact: Deborah Moore Green Schools Initiative