I'm a parent volunteer with my son's elementary school's green club. I've created a number of open forum topics to gather information about how we can make our schools greener. It's been hard getting the word out about the blog and (more importantly) getting people to participate in discussions. I know a lot of you are teachers so I'd appreciate your input on the following.
Paper Consumption
- Do you make 2-sided prints/copies? Would the school be willing to make 2-sided printing the default setting on their printers/copiers?
- Would it be possible to use e-mail or the Internet to reduce/eliminate paper notices sent home with students?
- Is the paper used at your school made from recycled paper? Does the paper meet the guidelines of the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program?
- What ways are the school being wasteful with its paper consumption?
Lighting and Computers
- Does your school district make CFLs available to replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs as they burn out? Would it be practical to replace the bulbs more proactively?
- It appears that many of the light bulbs throughout the school are T12. Replacing these bulbs with T8 bulbs with high efficiency ballast can provide energy savings over 40%. These light bulbs also give off less heat so the HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard. Would the school district be willing to make the small investment to upgrade the ballasts to allow use of the more efficient T8 light bulbs?
- Studies have shown that light switch stickers can reduce energy consumption and typically have a pay back period of only a few months. Would the school district be willing to purchase light switch stickers for the classrooms and other rooms?
- Recommend adjusting settings on computer to power off computer monitors and hard drives.
Recycling
- How well does your classroom recycle paper? How well does your school recycle paper? What ideas do you have that will encourage recycling in your school/classroom?
- How often are the recycling bins emptied?
- What percentage of paper waste in the classroom is being recycled?
- Is trash or other inappropriate material making its way into the recycling bins?
- How can we increase participation?
Cafeteria Recycling Program
- Is trash or other inappropriate materials making its way into the recycling bins?
- Does the cafeteria staff recycle cardboard and other recyclable materials?
- Encourage parents to use reusable containers in lieu of plastic bags and bottles.
- How feasible would it be to start a composting program?
Thanks in advance for your input. Check out our blog at the link below and share any additional ideas you may have.
http://gogreenwoolridge.blogspot.com/