Green School
InitiativeInstitute for
Sustainable EnergyAt 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) School1. Teaching2. Purchasing and
Administrative Services
3. Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
4. Energy Conservation5. Energy Purchasing6. Water and Waste
Water Management
7. Hazardous Waste Management
8. Transportation9. Food and Food
Service10. Landscaping 11. New Construction12. 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 &
www.CTenergyeducation.com
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