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The Go Green Initiative

What is it?

The “Go Green” Initiative (GGI) is a national campus-based K-12 environmental service program, geared to improve the environmental performance of the institution while promoting learning and community-building. (www.gogreeninitiative.org) Based on a California model, it was adopted as an official project of the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, (NYSAR3). The High School for Environmental Studies (HSES) through the Friends of HSES registered in the Fall of 2005 (the only NYC school enrolled) and was pleased to receive a grant of $2,000 from NYSAR3 for implementation. The initiative provides both recognition and inspires further action in the areas of recycling, composting, paper consumption, water, energy conservation and air quality.

What are our goals?

  • Measure our environmental performance as an institution, set realistic goals for improvement, and bring about these improvements in a sustainable manner;

  • Enhance our sense of community at HSES and promote learning via environmental service;

  • Strengthen our role as a model among environmental high schools in the City;

  • Generate positive publicity (and thereby attract better students, faculty and financial support)

Who is participating?

Our “Go Green Team” includes two students, two parents, two faculty, Friends of HSES staff, and John Halenar (chair of Corporate and Professional Advisory Board). We would like to involve all sectors of the school community, particularly our custodial staff, and the administration.   We meet several times a year in the career center. Starting in the 2006-7 school year, the Team plans to establish a Go Green Internship and Go Green Club linked to our award winning recycling club that will bring a cadre of committed students to work with the Team continue our efforts to “green” HSES.

What are our campus-based projects?

  • Compost - We expanded from leaf composting on the roof to classroom vermicomposting that leads students through hands-on composting projects. For the coming year, we plan to compost a limited amount of food waste from the cafeteria.

  • Recycling - Expand existing weekly paper and bottle collection to annual or semi annual electronic waste collection, in partnership with PerScholas.

  • Paper - Track paper use school-wide, set reduction targets, set up paper re-use bins and investigate buying recycled paper;

  • Energy - Conduct energy audit, and work with NYC Office of Energy Conservation’s ENCORE program to implement a planned upgrade of lighting and HVAC equipment projected to save 23KW. Plans also include energy conservation campaign to reduce load even further;

  • Indoor Pollution - Investigate non-toxic cleaning and pest control products if not already in use;

What are our plans for outreach/publicity?

  • PTA  – Initiative has been endorsed by the PTA, and two members sits on the Team. The Team seeks further engagement from parents;

  • NYC Go Green Summit – Hold a summit for other high schools in the city to educate and share information and best practices about implementing environmental initiatives;

  • External Publicity – We hope to work with the media to gain coverage of our efforts;

  • Project was featured as part of a panel discussion at the Federation of Solid Waste Association of New York;

  • Corporate Assistance – We hope to use this project to seek contributions to help implement project (Such as securing donations of double-sided printers).