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

Questions?

www.sustainenergy.org

Thank You For Your Interest