Open Forum: Recycling

Classroom Recycling Program

• 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?
• Would it be possible to have the students regularly measure and record how much paper is being recycled?
• How can this program be improved and made more convenient? How can we increase participation?

Cafeteria Recycling Program

• Is trash or other inappropriate materials making its way into the recycling bins?
• Would it be possible to have the students regularly measure and record how much cafeteria waste is being recycled?
• Does the cafeteria staff recycle cardboard and other recyclable materials?
• Encourage parents to use reusable containers in lieu of plastic bags and bottles.
• How can this program be improved and made more convenient? How can we increase participation.
• How feasible would it be to start a composting program?

Battery Recycling Program

• How can this program be improved and made more convenient? How can we increase participation?

Glue Stick Recycling Program

• What percentage of glue sticks are being recycled?
• How can this program be improved and made more convenient? How can we increase participation?

Other Recycling Programs

• Does the school recycle cardboard boxes?
• How does the school dispose of old books? Is there any potential for reusing or recycling them?
• How does the school dispose of old computers/electronics?

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Open Forum: Energy Audit

One of the more ambitious activities the WES Green Club is hoping to perform is an energy audit of the school. But what is an "energy audit" and how does it work? The purpose of an energy audit is to evaluate the ways the school uses energy (lighting, computers, heating, cooling, etc) and determine how much energy is actually used. This information can then be used to come up with ideas on how to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency.

We would like the student members of the Green Club to play an active role in the energy audit. With some adult supervision, the students can assist in surveying the school and record the number of light fixtures and computers in each room. Using some basic math, the students can estimate how much energy (and $$$) the school is consuming.

The group can then brain storm ideas for ways the school can reduce energy consumption. Students will use their math skills to calculate how much energy (and $$$) can be saved if the school implements any of these measures.

So that's the basic idea of what the Green Club wants to accomplish with the Energy Audit. The survey itself can likely be completed during a single day. Preparation and evaluation of the energy audit will occur on different days. We're looking for input from teachers, parents, and teacher alike to help us make this activity a success. Here are some items that we would like your input on:

• When would be the best time to perform the energy audit survey? Could it be done on a weekend? For how long could the school be made available to us?

• We will need volunteers to assist the students gather information. The students can be broken up into small groups and paired with an adult. Each group can be assigned a portion of the school. Please e-mail the Green Club and let us know if you are interested in volunteering.

• The energy audit will be even more successful if we can interview school staff members to learn about energy usage habits at the school. It might be fun to have the students conduct these interviews.

• The students can help prepare a report that summarizes the results of the energy audit, and the results will be posted on this blog. Perhaps the students can present their findings to the rest of the Green Club or even present their findings to the school board.

Feel free to leave comments and give input on these ideas by clicking on COMMENTS at the end of this post. The Green Club is really excited about performing an energy audit because of the learning experience it creates for the students and the potential it has for reducing energy consumption at Woolridge Elementary School.

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Open Forum: Reduce Energy Consumption

The purpose of this post is to be an open discussion of ideas to help reduce energy consumption at Woolridge Elementary School. I have posted some ideas and questions and would appreciate your feedback. Please click on "Comments" at the end of the post to participate.

Lighting

1. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Does CCPS make CFLs available to replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs as they burn out? Would it be practical to replace the bulbs more proactively?
2. Replace older fluorescent bulbs with more efficient bulbs. 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. Click HERE to see more detailed information. Would CCPS be willing to make the small investment to upgrade the ballasts to allow use of the more efficient T8 light bulbs?
3. Provide light switch stickers to remind people to turn the lights off when leaving the room. Studies have shown that light switch stickers can reduce energy consumption and typically have a pay back period of only a few months. Would WES or CCPS be willing to purchase light switch stickers for the classrooms and other rooms?

Computers/Electronics

1. Adjust settings on computer to power off computer monitors and hard drives.

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Open Forum: Reducing Paper Consumption

Teachers - I'd appreciate your feedback regarding the ways we can reduce paper consumption at Woolridge. Simply click on "COMMENTS" at the end of this post to respond to this post and provide your feedback:

1. 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?



2. Do you make 2-sided prints/copies? Would the school be willing to make 2-sided printing the default setting on their printers/copiers?



3. Would it be possible to use e-mail or the Internet to reduce/eliminate paper notices sent home with students?



4. Is the paper used at Woolridge made from recycled paper? Does the paper meet the guidelines of the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program?



5. What ways are the school being wasteful with its paper consumption?

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