Washington Elementary School District, AZ Sustainable Efforts

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Washington Elementary School District, AZ, US

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Type: Policy

Status: Ongoing

Source File: http://www.wesd.k12.az.us/index.php?action=viewArticle&id=331

Description:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - those three words are themes throughout every part of the Washington Elementary School District as we do our part to protect the environment. We've made this a District-wide priority as we enter the 2008-2009 school year.

Every building in the District - all 32 schools, the Administrative Center and other District offices - has undergone a recent energy audit. This was done so we know current energy usage; we've looked at electric and gas usage, water usage and energy efficiency information to establish baselines. Using that information, each campus will develop and implement this fall an energy action plan with the goal of reducing utility and water usage by at least 10 percent.

This is just one phase of our District-wide efforts. Others include:

  • District-wide irrigation is used rather than sprinkler systems whenever possible.
  • We are recycling metal from construction and renovation projects rather than adding to the landfill.
  • Asphalt and concrete removed during construction projects are broken down and the material is used as the base when new concrete is poured.
  • Over the summer, Lookout Mountain Elementary School has been piloting the use of an organic substance on their fields that is designed to increase soil aeration to ultimately reduce water usage.
  • Older air conditioning systems at several schools have been replaced with more energy-efficient systems.
  • Lighting is being replaced with higher-efficiency lighting.
  • Many schools have begun ecology and recycling programs that include student participation (newspaper and plastic bag recycling, in particular).
  • We are working toward incorporating environmental education into the curriculum.

Additionally, it is our goal to have paper recycling on every campus in the near future.

As we look to the future of the Washington Elementary School District, we are always cognizant of our impact on the environment. We value our community, which entrusts us to responsibly manage our fiscal resources.