Creating a Healthy School Environment Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) AASA Urban and Rural Healthy Schools Coalition 19 May 2010

The Next 60 Minutes 2 Overview of SC3 program Key elements of SC3 program Moving toward Action Sharing insights and ideas Putting it all together

SC3 Goals Remove outdated, unknown and unneeded chemicals from K-12 schools. Raise awareness of chemical issues in schools and promote sustainable solutions. Prevent future mismanagement through training, curriculum change, and long- term solutions.

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Imminent Risk if water level drops ½ inch spontaneously ignites Potential Incidents Unknown, Unintended Chemical Reactions Imminent Risk Nitric Acid + Cyanide

Steps for Creating a Responsible Chemical Management Program 16

17 It’s All About Teamwork! Administrators, teachers, community members, facilities personnel, industry partners

School Benefits Are many!

Partner Benefits Pride and satisfaction from improving school health and safety; Enhanced image as community leader; Local and federal recognition; Organizational visibility.

Partnerships Produce Results! 20

Remember: Every school is unique! Build on existing healthy school environments programs. Find the solutions that fit your needs.

Getting Started: Helpful Tools and Resources –SC3 Video: Safe Chemical Management in Your School –SC3 Workbook: Building Successful Programs to Address Chemical Risks in Schools –Green Cleaning Fact Sheet –Building Successful Programs to Address Chemicals in Schools: State Summaries –Success Stories –Comprehensive Partner Page 22

23 For More Information Kristina Meson US EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (703)

24 (1) What do you have in place now through your TfS program (or otherwise) that will allow you to take steps toward a responsible chemical management program in your school/school district? (2) What do you still need and challenges you will face in designing and implementing an SC3 component into your TfS program? (3) What steps can you take when you return home to move toward incorporating SC3 activities into your TfS program?

The Power of Partnerships Grandview School District Grandview, MO 2009

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project Grandview C-4 School District in Grandview, MO –Middle School 576 students (2009) 67% Free/Reduced Lunch –High School 1, 201 students (2009) 57% Free/Reduced Lunch Project implemented under the President’s United We Serve (UWS) Summer Service Initiative Project focused on the SC3 Workbook’s 5 Steps to a Safer Schools through Responsible Chemical Management. 26

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project The project satisfied three goals: Encourage Volunteerism Create a Healthier Learning Environment Encourage New Partnerships 27

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project Encourage Volunteerism –The project team consisted of industry, higher education, trade associations, student, teacher, and school administration volunteers. 28 VOLUNTEERCONTRIBUTION American Chemical Society (ACS)Consulted on inventory review, and cost effective disposal options Ash Grove Cement Company (Ash Grove)Donated up to $20,000 Cadence Environmental Energy (Cadence)Donated their services Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition (CKRC)Donated tree; provided marketing to members EPA HQ (HQ)Planning and Coordination EPA Region 7 (R7)Press coverage; video, posters C-4 Central Office (C-4)Press Grandview High SchoolHosted event; planning and coordination Grandview Middle SchoolCo-hosted cleanout Students and TeachersVolunteered in their community and school; displayed environmental science and art projects; assisted in event logistics. Missouri Center for Safe Schools (MCSS)Inventory; future training Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)Streamlined hazardous waste disposal process; future assistance Tradebe Pollution Control Industries, Inc. (PCI)Donated lab-packing; removal, and proper disposal

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project Create a Healthier Learning Environment –Volunteers removed close to 500 pounds of chemicals from the middle and high school, including: Toxics Flammables Explosives Caustics (High hazard chemical ethyl ether was removed from one school) –Schools committed to begin implementing sustainable practices in the classroom and throughout the district, including training teachers and staff 29

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project Encourage New Partnerships –Two new SC3 partnerships resulted from the Grandview project: Ash Grove Cement Company Cadence Environmental Energy –The project’s success inspired several partners to encourage their other sites to get involved in their local schools 30