MAKE BACK TO SCHOOL THE GREENEST TIME OF THE YEAR

News Room

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Contact: Lisa Swann

202 518-0044, Ext. 14

MAKE BACK TO SCHOOL THE GREENEST TIME OF THE YEAR

Washington, DC – Just in time for back to school season, Earth Day Network has come out with a list of suggestions for students, teachers, and parents to green their schools. Even as the trees start to change colors, these activities are sure to keep many communities green.

HESA has been widely supported a variety of organizations - over 220 groups including institutions of higher education, NGOs and corporations. The act also instructs the Department of Education to gather leaders in the field (higher education sustainability experts, federal staff, and business leaders) to collaborate on the practices and principles of sustainability.

1. Teachers can have students patrol to check that lights are off in vacant rooms, and make signs or stickers such as “Flip the switch when leaving!” as a reminder to turn off lights.

2. Use Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) or LED bulbs and have students compute energy savings.

3. Keep air vents clear and up to date and work with custodians to fix drafty rooms; ensure that furnace filters are cleaned often.

4. In winter, close classroom doors to trap heat in.

5. Make sure computers are programmed to enter “sleep” mode when inactive, and avoid screen savers. Turn off computers when the day ends.

6. Urge students or faculty to start a recycling program for the school—if you already have one, brainstorm how to make it better and reduce your school’s carbon footprint even more

7. Organize a campaign to get healthy, local food served in your cafeteria—and reduce the presence of junk food, sodas, and other unhealthy options.

8. Urge your school to invest in reusable utensils, trays, and dishes in the cafeteria.

9. Inquire about non-toxic cleaning products and recyclable materials. Also find out what pesticides are sprayed on school grounds.

10. Investigate the possibility of creating a green roof for your school. A green roof can help regulate your school’s temperature and save money on utilities, in addition to providing an exciting educational tool.

“The back to school season is a perfect opportunity to begin or continue greening efforts at your school. Whether public or private, large or small, school greening efforts offer educational, environmental and economic benefits for the whole school and community,” says Earth Day Network’s Director of Education, Sean Miller. “See our web site at www.earthday.net for more information on greening your school.”

About Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network, www.earthday.net, seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. It pursues these goals through education, politics, and consumer activism. Earth Day Network has a global reach with a network of more than 17,000 partners and organizations in 174 countries. More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world.

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