School & School District Sustainability Policy Templates
DISTRICT TEMPLATES
The following policies are examples from other school districts throughout Oregon. Your district may choose to adopt any of these. Feel free to combine them and/or edit them to make them appropriate for your school district. These policies may also be appropriate for individual schools to adopt.
School District Environmental Ethic
In keeping with the [ ] School District Mission Statement, [ ], and conforming to the 1991 Oregon Recycling Act, Senate Bill 66, which requires integration of waste reduction and recycling components into the K-12 curriculum, the Board, administration, staff, students and parents of the [ ] School District believe that it is our responsibility to encourage and implement environmentally sound practices. We are committed to making the most efficient use of our natural resources and practicing sound waste reduction methods (source reduction, reusing, recycling and composting) and will strive to buy recycled materials.
School District Recycling Committee
The [ ] School District Recycling Committee is committed to making the most efficient use of our natural resources and practicing sound waste reduction methods (source reduction, reusing, recycling and composting) and strives to buy recycled materials whenever possible. Recycling opportunities exist at all buildings, and the district-wide Recycling Committee meets on a regular basis and establishes yearly goals. We expect all employees to model the District’s waste reduction efforts.
School District Energy Management and Resource Conservation
The [] School District encourages and supports the prudent management of its energy resources and utility services, and believes that these should be managed with a focus on conservation as well as education. The district further believes that, to this end, it is the responsibility of each district employee and student to participate in energy and resource conservation efforts whenever possible.
It is the responsibility of district administrators, by way of the direction of the superintendent’s office, to implement, direct, monitor, evaluate and report district energy conservation efforts.
Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
(1) To contribute to a clean environment and thriving economy for present and future generations, the district will establish business procedures that give a premium to environmentally sustainable practices. The district will attain this goal by:
(a) Minimizing its impact on the use of finite natural resources and the environment as a whole;
(b) Promoting an understanding of the importance of environmentally appropriate practices; and
(c) Using best practices in the purchase, use and disposal of materials.
(2) District staff will implement the following strategies where feasible:
(a) Reduce the waste of energy, water, paper, food and other resources by maintaining a resource conservation management program;
(b) Use resources efficiently, recycle and work to reduce the demand for materials and resources like paper, energy and water;
(c) Consider environmental impact and societal costs in decision making;
(d) Purchase products based on long-term environmental and operating costs and include environmental and social costs in short term prices;
(e) Purchase products that are durable, reusable, made of recycled materials and non-toxic;
(f) Plan preventive measures to avoid detrimental impacts on the environment;
(g) Enlist schools, the community and business partners to develop preventive strategies and measures;
(h) Encourage activities that will reduce air pollution such as public transportation, carpooling, bike riding, compressed workweek and telecommuting;
(i) Implement an integrated pest management program that includes the following practices:
(A) Reduce and eliminate where feasible, the use of chemical pesticides. Pesticides classified as Group A (known) or Group B (likely) carcinogens are prohibited. Any pesticide used by the district must have a current EPA Registration and must be used in strict compliance with labeling information and EPA regulatory controls;
(B) Seek practical alternatives to the use of pesticides;
(C) Provide notice to the building principal of use seven to ten days before intended application of pesticide or herbicide, except in those instances where rodent or similar infestation creates an imminent risk of danger to students and staff, so that the principal shall notify the school community by notice and posting both before and for a reasonable period after application;
(D) Report annually on practices.
(E) It is not district policy to apply herbicides for aesthetic purposes but to prevent damage to grounds and buildings. Except for circumstances where the health or safety of the community or the integrity of physical structures or grounds are threatened, the district will honor a school’s request to designate part or all of the grounds as a pesticide-free zone on an annual basis.
(j) Promote curriculum exploring the relationship of sustainable principles to the environment and economy.
Sustainability
“Sustainability means using, developing and protecting resources in a manner that enables people to meet current needs and provides that future generations can also meet future needs, from the joint perspective of environmental, economic and community objectives,” as defined by the 2001 Oregon Legislature [ORS 184.421].
The [] School District will strive to conduct its operations and make decisions that support sustainability by minimizing negative environmental impacts while protecting current and future human health and well-being in economically viable ways. Principles of sustainability will be a framework for decision making.
1. The [] School District will demonstrate responsible leadership by making decisions and conducting operations with the following priorities in mind:
1.1. Protect students, staff, and our community from environmental harm. The District will strive to eliminate the use of potentially toxic and harmful substances.
1.2. Prepare our students for the future. The District will provide a high quality education that supports concepts and practices of environmental, social, and economic responsibility and sustainability.
1.3. Preserve current and future resources. The District will adopt practices in operations that balance environmental, social, and fiscal responsibility to protect and enhance the future quality of life.
Sustainability
The [] School District will strive to conduct its operations and make decisions that support sustainability by minimizing the waste of natural resources, while protecting the health and wellbeing of its constituents through environmentally and economically sound practices.
The [] School District shall consider, when purchasing, the potential for recycling of materials and shall avoid, when feasible, the purchase of materials that are not recyclable. The District shall take advantage of local opportunities to recycle waste materials and cooperate with the recycling efforts of the community.
Legal Reference(s):
ORS Chapters 279A, 279B and 279C
ORS 332.107
Resource Conservation
(1) As a leader in the community, the district must take a key role in resource conservation and instilling a conservation ethic in today's youth. To accomplish this, the Board adopts the following resource conservation management strategies:
(a) Enhance awareness of resource conservation methods;
(b) Encourage the efficient use of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, water, full utilization of materials prior to disposal, limited use of disposable materials, non-biodegradable products and promote recycling efforts;
(c) Institute best practices for resource management;
(d) Maintain energy usage and energy costs at the lowest level that is reasonably achievable and consistent with an efficient learning environment in schools.
(2) The Director of Facilities and Assets Management shall promulgate a resource management plan consistent with the District's educational goals incorporating these strategies and taking into consideration:
(a) New resource conservation technologies and alternative energy sources;
(b) Resource conservation in all building retrofits as well as in new buildings or additions;
(c) Best practices in resource conservation technology for monitoring and operating district buildings.
(3) The plan shall also include procedures for the Director of Facilities and Assets Management to administer the plan to maintain resource conservation, efficient buildings and provide training and recognition for students, custodians, teachers, principals and others as appropriate to ensure conservation accountability. The effectiveness of the district's resource conservation plan will be continually revised as needed to reflect conservation innovations and shall include recognition for student and staff special efforts toward the goal of resource conservation.
SCHOOL TEMPLATES
The following policies are examples from other schools throughout Oregon. Your school may choose to adopt any of these. Feel free to combine them and/or edit them to make them appropriate for your school. The district policies above can also be adapted for an individual school.
At [] School, every student, staff member, and parent understands the importance of reducing waste and conserving resources. We work together to cut electricity usage, reuse and recycle paper products, compost our food waste, and look for new opportunities to help our earth every day.
The students and staff of [] School are responsible for ensuring that every effort is made to conserve energy and natural resources while exercising sound financial management.
[] School continuously strives to practice, monitor and educate our students, staff and parents on the importance of waste reduction and resource conservation in the areas of garbage reduction, recycling, energy conservation.
At [] School, students and staff pledge to explore more avenues in conservation. We will educate ourselves towards a greener way of living, making full and complete use of all materials, repurpose anything we can, recycle what we cannot reuse, and send to landfills only what is truly garbage. By educating ourselves and teaching others, our school, community, and ultimately our world will become a healthier, cleaner place to live.
At [] School, each student, staff member, and parent strives to reduce, reuse, and recycle. We work together to save energy, build awareness, and model "green" behaviors. We are committed to doing our part to save the planet.
Simply put, [] School’s policy is "no waste." We have several policies that incorporate different aspects of this policy: "Eat What You Take," "Energy Conservation Pledge," etc. We have created a "No Waste" Pledge that every member of our school can take. We have a student Green Club.
Always continue to recruit help to expand community involvement.
Success= Students, Staff, Parents, Community members and District all working together efficiently for a sustainable future.
Our policy is:
Reduce: Only take it if you'll use it!
Reuse: Be nice, use it twice!
Recycle: Know which bin to put it in!
Although we will continue with our recycling/comingling efforts, we want to place a greater emphasis on reusing and reducing.
[] School stresses the interdependence between human beings and the world. We show care and concern for animals, humans and the natural environment, taking responsibility for environmental and humanitarian challenges around the world. We are moved to serve through gardening, composting, recycling, conserving electricity and water, and reducing our use of materials for a sustainable future for ourselves and the planet. We are proud to empower our students to take ownership of many of these stewardship practices, both within our school and in our community.
[] School is committed to conserving and protecting the environment through reducing, reusing and recycling. We realize that this is a continuous process throughout which we must evaluate our efforts and look to see what we can improve. Here at [ ] School we recognize this process as a community effort and strive to involve other schools, working to lead the way in a successful endeavor to preserve the environment.