Back-to-School Greening Strategies

It’s more than a trend – school greening is quickly becoming the method of choice for improving both the school learning environment and the community’s environmental health. As you prepare for the academic year, consider what you can do to “go green”:

In School…

According to the EPA, 75% of the electricity used to power electronics is consumed when they are turned off. Have your class take turns being a weekly “energy monitor,” making sure electronics are off and unplugged when not in use.

Talk to your school about switching to LED Exit signs. LED signs last longer and use much less energy, which means more money goes back to your child’s academic needs. Or better yet, perform an energy audit of your school!

Have your children live healthier lifestyles while helping the environment by organizing a “walking bus,” a group of students who walk to school under the supervision of an adult.

Pack a waste-free, lunch for school, using reusable containers (not juice boxes, plastic water bottles, or paper bags) and a cloth napkin. Don’t waste food by packing more than they will eat!

Make a class project of measuring how much junk mail the school receives, and then contacting companies to remove the school from their mailing lists. Then measure again and see how much paper is being saved.

Talk to your district about reducing school bus idling. It increases particulates that are bad for children and wastes energy. Check out this website for more information: http://epa.gov/cleanschoolbus/antiidling.htm.

…Taking it Home

Replace your light bulbs with CFL bulbs: they use a quarter of the energy and last much longer, saving you money. They also don’t produce much heat, a plus in the summer months.

Read the labels on your art supplies – are all the ingredients non-toxic? Chemicals like mercury, cadmium, and lead, which are dangerous to humans, especially children, and the environment, can be found in seemingly-safe arts and crafts supplies. Check out the Art & Creative Materials Institute for information about art products labeling, and use our new lesson plans to make your own non-toxic art supplies from natural ingredients on the EDN Educators’ Network.

Feed your child organic, healthy food; they will ingest much fewer chemicals that could be harmful during formative years. Consider making your own baby food instead of buying jars.

Only buy toys that contain no PVCs, a type of plastic which could be harmful to both children and the environment. Consider natural wood toys (FSC-certified wood), or better yet, just play outside.

The days of Sally Foster’s wrapping paper and sweatshop chocolates are over. Here are some tips to effectively raise money for your projects and the new “green” movement.

Download our Things to Do to Green your School flyers in PDF, for teachers and students

To learn more, contact our Education Department, at education[at]earthday.net.