Green School Initiative Institute for Sustainable Energy At Eastern Connecticut State University “ It’s not easy being GREEN ! ” Kermit T. Frog

The Green School Initiative Schools have an obligation to operate in a manner that is ecologically and socially sound as well as economically viable. To do this they need to act in a sustainable manner considering all three when making planning and operational decisions. Schools are being asked to support the regional, national and worldwide climate change efforts. This includes actions to lower emissions, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Most school systems are also internally driven to reduce unnecessary energy use and reduce cost for energy and maintenance. Schools should become “Learning Laboratories ” for the future citizens and leaders of the world.

Twelve Steps to a Sustainable (Green) School 1. Teaching 2. Purchasing and Administrative Services 3. Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling 4. Energy Conservation 5. Energy Purchasing 6. Water and Waste Water Management 7. Hazardous Waste Management 8. Transportation 9. Food and Food Service 10. Landscaping 11. New Construction 12. Planning and Design

Teaching Teach Environmental Literacy The school as a “Learning Laboratory” Engage parents Engage in Community Outreach Take an Interdisciplinary Approach Strengthen Core Science Programs Use eeSmart &

Purchasing and Administration Only buy what you need Buy environmentally friendly products Use Energy Star Standards Buy post consumer recycled materials Buy recycled paper products Use green environmental cleaning products

Solid Waste Management and Recycling Establish a Waste Reduction Ethic Perform Dumpster Analysis Minimize Use First Work With Custodians Provide Convenient Recycling Stations Hold Special Collection Days Encourage Student Participation Recognize Performance

Energy Conservation Track Energy Use and Cost Monthly Benchmarking Retrofit and Renovate With Efficient Equipment Participate in Existing Utility Efficiency Programs Encourage Student Involvement Energy Saving Contests

Energy Purchasing Improve School Efficiency First Convert from High Emission Fuels Purchase Green Power Install Renewables Line Solar PV& Thermal Consider Carbon Sequestering

Water and Waste Water Management Report, Respond and Repair Water Leaks Retrofit with “Water Savers” Fixtures Minimize Landscape Irrigation Capture And Use Rainwater Protect Groundwater

Hazardous Waste Management Exceed Haz-Mat requirements Switch to Non-Toxics Ensure Proper Disposal Minimizing fertilizers, insect and pest control Educate Generators Develop Tracking Implement Swapping

Transportation Use Public Transportation Convert Vehicles to Alternate Fuels Like Biodiesel Encourage Car- Pooling And Ride-Share Support Bikes and walking

Food and Food Service Buy Locally in Season Eat “Low on the Food Chain” Minimize the use of Disposable Trays, Plates, and Utensils Support Organic Food Producers Promote Reusable Mugs

Landscaping Redefine Landscape Beauty Reduce Lawn Areas Protect Wetlands, Watershed and Wildlife Protect Trees Plant Native Species Natural Walkways Evolve

New Construction Don’t Oversize & Overbuild Use High Performance Building Standards Exceed Energy Codes Use Natural Light Incorporate Renewable Energy Use Environmentally Friendly Materials Use Life-Cycle analysis Recycle Construction Debris

School Planning and Design Develop a Master Plan Preserve Green Space Minimize Pavement Maintain Indigenous Plantings Preserve Solar Access Perform Impact Review of All Expansion Plans

Steps in the Process Commitment – get buy-in at the top faculty & administrators Inventory – collect energy, emissions and disposal data & establish a base case Action Team – involve key players in the GREEN Team Brainstorming – evaluate all options. Perform life cycle analysis. Look for funding from federal, state and local utility programs Action Plan – develop a short (1- 5 yrs.) and long range action plan (10 to 50 yrs) Implementation – put your plan to work Monitoring – measure your progress Communicate &Recognize –publicize and reward success

What Can Students Do? Organize energy saving competitions Organize recycling efforts Use buses and carpool to save fuel and money Encourage change in cafeteria menu Conduct “buy local” campaigns Encourage walking and bike riding

Questions? Thank You For Your Interest