Sustainable School Operations

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Sustainable School Operations

• Deborah Moore
• Green Schools Initiative
• December 2008

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The Context
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The Hope
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Green Schools Report CardPollution
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

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Green Schools Report Card Energy Climate

• 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

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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 4Rs or buy recycled

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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

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• Schools environmental education message to
  kids
• Do as I say, not as I do

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What is a Green School?
Rot
or near pollution
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Why Do We Need Green and Healthy Schools?

• Save money! Especially energy, hazardous waste
  handling, absenteeism, workmans compensation
  savings can be used to fund other programs
• Improve childrens 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

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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
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Step 3 Garbage Audit
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Results of Garbage Audit
Recyclables currently Recyclables currently Recyclables currently
Garbage   Recycling Recycling Recycling thrown out thrown out
TABLE 3 Estimates of Total Waste Generated TABLE 3 Estimates of Total Waste Generated TABLE 3 Estimates of Total Waste Generated TABLE 3 Estimates of Total Waste Generated Pounds Tons Pounds Pounds Tons Pounds Tons
Estimate of 1 day of waste at Tapscott Estimate of 1 day of waste at Tapscott Estimate of 1 day of waste at Tapscott     86   48 48   8  
Estimate of weight of 1 week of waste (5 days) Estimate of weight of 1 week of waste (5 days) Estimate of weight of 1 week of waste (5 days) Estimate of weight of 1 week of waste (5 days)   430   241 241   40  
Estimate of 1 month of waste (20 days) Estimate of 1 month of waste (20 days) Estimate of 1 month of waste (20 days)   1,720   966 966   160  
Estimate of 1 school-year of waste (180 days) Estimate of 1 school-year of waste (180 days) Estimate of 1 school-year of waste (180 days) Estimate of 1 school-year of waste (180 days)   15,484 7.74 8,690 8,690 4.35 1,440 0.72
Estimate of 1 school-year of waste on both campuses Estimate of 1 school-year of waste on both campuses Estimate of 1 school-year of waste on both campuses Estimate of 1 school-year of waste on both campuses Estimate of 1 school-year of waste on both campuses 30,967 15.48 17,381 17,381 8.69 2,880 1.44
(Note these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) (Note these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) (Note these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) (Note these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) (Note these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) (Note these estimates assume that all days would be like the day we audited) (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
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The Power of Information
Students analyze and communicate results to the
whole school
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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

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Results of Paper Cost-Benefit Analysis
Current 0 recycled paper 30 recycled paper 100 recycled paper
Cartons per year 124 124 124
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 74 119 mil BTUs 17.6K lbs CO2 eq 52 103 mil BTUs 15.6K lbs CO2 eq 0 67 mil BTUs 11.1K lbs CO2 eq
Sources prices from Staples resource uses from
www.papercalculator.org by Environmental Defense.
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Using results to test ideas, influence decisions
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Create Action PlanGreening Buildings Operations

• New Buildings CHPS
• Green Cleaning
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
• Energy Water Conservation, Renewable Energy,
  Transport
• Waste reduction
• Food Service
• Green Schoolyards

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Those who say it cant be done Should not
interrupt those already doing it -- Chinese
proverb
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You have to be the change You want to see in the
world -- Ghandi
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Contact Deborah Moore Green Schools
Initiative 510-525-1026 deborah_at_greenschools.net w
ww.greenschools.net