What are some ways in which a school can "go green"?
I’m one of the heads of the environment action commitee at my high school, and we’re currently working on a proposition in which we have plans on how to use a substantial amount of funding in an effort for our school to be more eco-friendly.
Our proposition is still in the "hanger bay" stage if you know what I mean, so I am currently looking for a wide array of opinions and ideas.
All thoughts welcome! Thanks in advance.
Recycling.
Encouraging teachers to use lights less.
Volunteer Trash Pick-ups.
Etc.
Does your school use throw-away plates, silverware, cups etc? I don’t know what your budget is, but returning to a dishwasher and real trays would be one earth-friendly project. Finding ways to cut down on paper use–gradebooks and assignments on computers, for instance, would be better. Do you recycle waste paper? What about replacing bulbs with more eco-friendly types, even if it might mean more money at the start? You could ban "extra" use of personal teacher’s items like small refrigerators, coffee makers, and the like. Would your school benefit from coating the windows or planting trees on north facing walls? What about encouraging children to bring in clean recycleables for money for school projects? How about sponsoring a large Earthday event for students? Give students the chance to come up with their own ideas and submit them. Are lights turned off in all classrooms when not in use? Encourage sweaters in the winter and cooler classrooms (you don’t say what region your school is in). What about water? Could you install the type of water faucets that only turn on if activated? Lower flow toilets?
Several Ideas:
-Put a Recycle Paper Bin in every classroom. Then when theyr full up, take them to a recycle centre or something.
-Try to sell less plastic bottles in cantines.
- Set all printers to print double-sided.
-The last one to leave a classroom could turn off all lights.
-Use flourescent bulbs.
- Get student to carpool, or walk to school. Individual transport creates more car fumes.
And.. um… Spread the word?
Its a hard thing, making schools eco-friendly.
Here in Mexico we have had mayor clean up operations synchronized with all the schools in town,
Even the army got involved,and we had many big trucks that took away 26 tons of trash we collected.
everybody was given these plastic mesh fertilizer bags that we emptied on the trucks
bulldozers ,made holes and buried bad spots .
And later we had tree planting days.
Organize well publicized clean up parties ,talk on the radio
Get the schools involved to plant trees and listen to environmental awareness talks,
If you do any cleaning up leave signs behind saying who cleaned,why and ask people not to start dumping rubbish again ,leave a hole or bins ,in case people come with trash ,
POSITIVE ACTIONS)
Classify trash take out all the organic waste and make compost with it ,the worst you can do is throw it with the trash
70% of contamination is due to organic waste that is mixed in with the garbage .
And it is just as bad in the sewer where it helps to breed rats and in the landfill it poisons the ground
And it is the easiest to take care of
o first of all we have to classify trash at least keep the organic to one side ,like in a plastic bin with a lid
If you got a few meters of ground ,you only need 1 or 2 square meters in a shallow hole ,in the shade ,that you can wet now and again ,where you dump everything that is organic ,from toilet paper,bones vegetable cuttings ,eggshells,,,excrement ,and cover regularly with leaves to keep humid and to hide any smell
the worms will come and decompose the wastes turning it into beautiful black soil for the garden of flower pots .
If you are in a apartment ,if you have a balcony get a big plastic bin drill some holes in the side and lid ,
Add a few buckets of sand now and again to put over the trash ,you should really stir or move the stuff at times to aerate it and ensure that the decomposition is overall ,keep moist
This rubbish does not get big very fast and the thing works for a long time with out getting full
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these are Al gores sites
http://events.stepitup2007.org/………...
http://www.stepitup2007.org/
http://events.stepitup2007.org/………...
If you want to help the planet ,plant a tree every week ,if everyone on the planet did we we would be able to slowdown the destructive processes
Reduce carbon emissions,and they are already working on that by alternative forms of energy and regulations on carbon producing materials,aerosol cans,burning rubbish,industrial chimneys,power plants etc.
Water harvesting projects ,such as millions of small dams.to redirect over ground water flows from the rains into the ground to supply subterranean water supplies.
The protection of existing forests.
Stop building more highways,urban planning to include vegetation stop building cities encourage people to return to the land to conduct their business from there which now has become possible thanks to the internet.
Education to motivate people to auto sufficiency by building more home food gardens.
Education on environmental awareness
education on family planning to curb over´population
Agricultural education and improvements to follow the principals or sustainability and soil management.
More environmental or land ,design to prevent bush fires,such as–fire breaks
More dams.regulations and control for public behavior
Alternative efficient public transport to discourage the use of the internal combustion engine
101 Ways To Live More Ecologically,may be you find something that applies to you
1. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable
items.
2. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer.
3. Avoid power appliances when hand power works.
4. Avoid highly processed foods.
5. Avoid using styro foam—it can’t be recycled.
6. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks.
7. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.
8. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.
9. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.
10. Buy foods without additives.
11. Buy foods without preservatives.
12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust
13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.
14. Buy living Christmas trees.
15. Buy locally grown food and produce.
16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.
17. Compost your food scraps.
18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area,
19. Don’t burn trash or other smoky materials.
20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels.
21. Drive a fuel-efficient car.
22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.
23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat.
24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.
25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.
26. Exercise regularly.
27. Explore and learn about your bio region.
28. Grow your own food, even a small amount.
29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes.
30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.
31. Heat your home more with renewable energies.
32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.
33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle.
34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets.
35. Install a water-conserving shower head.
36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.
37. Invest for social responsibility as well as profit.
38. Invest in solar power, where practical.
39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.
40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers.
41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency.
42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace.
43. Oppose meddling in ecological balance.
44. Oppose private development of special areas.
45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.
46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.
47. Pick up litter along streets and highways.
48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.
49. Plant trees throughout your community.
50. Plant your living Christmas tree.
51. Practice preventive health care.
52. Practice responsible family planning.
53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten.
54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.
55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers.
56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.
57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.
58. Recycle aluminum.
59. Recycle glass.
60. Recycle newspaper.
61. Recycle old clothes.
62. Recycle plastic.
63. Recycle used motor oil.
64. Recycle your unneeded items.
65. Re-use paper bags.
66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste.
67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.
68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher.
69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.
70. Speak out about your values in community groups.
71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.
72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.
73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.
74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.
75. Support local credit unions.
76. Support local merchants before large chains.
77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.
78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.
79. Support the cultural diversity in your bio region.
80. Support the plants and animals in your community.
81. Take shorter showers.
82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.
83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.
84. Turn off the lights when not needed.
85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
87. Use cloth diapers.
88. Use cloth table napkins.
89. Use less tap water whenever possible.
90. Use non-toxic pest control.
91. Use only medications you trust/understand.
92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.
93. Use rechargeable batteries.
94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper.
95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.
96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.
97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.
98. Wash clothes in cold water.
99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.
100. Weather-seal your home.
101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits
Our community college eliminated paper hand towels and now uses only electric hand dryers.
Also, each student has a "paper account" where one is given an allotment of 500 sheets per term. Paper use over and above that amount may be purchased at $.05 per sheet.
Although not as practical for a high school, paper report cards have been eliminated and all information hat used to be mailed is accessed on line.
Hope this helps!
THANK YOU FOR SAVING OUR EARTH!!!
: D
I am in about the same position as you are in a green group as well! Here are some tips:
-Does ur school have a caf? Look into getting biodegrable plates! They’re out there and they’re getting common.
-Perhaps a composting system for the caf
-Does ur school sell chocolate milks in cartons? Put up collection buckets/boxes and the environemental club can wash them out and recycle them since they must be rinsed in order to be collected
-On recycled paper give every teacher in the school a ‘use both sides of ur paper’ flier with a cute slogan and custom design.
-Encourage teachers to turn out lights at the end of the day. there’s no need for a room to be lighted if no one is in it!
-Make sure everyone in the environemtal club has a garbage-free lunch and are using reusable water bottles, hard plastic or aluminum.
-Make posters and presentations for the whole school. Don’t be shy! Speak UP!
-The meat industry is said to be one of the largest contributors to pollution if not the largest. Consdie going veg or if that’s not in ur interest try and make thegreen club make their lunches meat free, or to ahve a meat free day once a week. Plus, it’s healthier for you!
-Battery collection in your school
-We collect cans for Habitat for Humanity. Two causes in one shot, what a deal! Look into it
-Make sure ur members use totes when shopping and not taking advantage of ‘free’ plastic bags.
Awesome ur interested and GOOD LUCK!
recycle, look at ways to cut down on paper, maybe have
a hour dedicated to no power and shut off lights.
I’m sure you can think of many more.
You could:
-Start a recycling program
-Switch the schools lights to compact flourecents, which are more energy efficent
-Install motion sensors in the bathrooms (or any room or hallway for that matter) so that the lights turn out when no one is in there
-Start a waste-free lunch program (see sources)