GREENING
PALM BEACH COUNTY
SCHOOLS
Lisa Toy and Karen Aubry
Environmental & Conservation Services Department
School District of Palm Beach County
RFT Conference June 14th, 2016
Who are we?
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Total Budget $2.3 Billion
11th largest school district in the US
5th largest school district in Florida
183,000 students
187 schools; over 27 million square feet
Utility budget of approximately $45 million
District-wide Sustainability
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Waste Reduction & Recycling
Building Green Schools
Energy Conservation
Green Policies
Outreach and Education
History of District Recycling
Efforts
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1990s: Cardboard recycling began in every
school
2006: Some schools began paper recycling
and a few began commingled collection
2007: To expand recycling efforts and increase
savings, added Sustainability/Recycling
Coordinator position
2009: Recycling made mandatory through
School Board policy – applies to all 180 schools
2016: 90% of schools recycle commingle items
We believe that recycling should be
participatory and educational!
We strongly support school
recycling
One-on-one consultations
◻ Recycling services for all schools
◻ Incentive programs for recycling
◻ Web resources/e-newsletters
◻ School presentations
◻ Most supplies provided free to schools
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Recycling Collection Tonnage
Material
FY08
FY15
5,500 tons
6,145 tons
Plastic/aluminum/glass
105 tons
328 tons
E-waste
165 tons
317 tons
Paint
265 gallons
424 gallons
Batteries
11,200 lbs
6,133 lbs
77,743 units
64,316 units
Textiles
n/a
238,047 lbs
Metal
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290,518 lbs
Paper & cardboard
Fluorescent light bulbs
Recycling = Savings!
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Current budget for trash & recycling $5,100,000 per year
Current savings through cardboard and paper
recycling - $700,000 per year
Current savings through commingled
recycling - $55,000 per year
We have OUTSTANDING partners!
 The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County
Outreach and educational visits
Curriculum for classroom use
School tours of the recycling plant
Recycling bins, posters, and other marketing materials
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Recycling Services of Florida– paper recycling
Dade Recycling – ink & toner cartridges
Southeastern Data- Electronic waste
FUNraising Dollars – clothing and textile recycling
Resource Depot – reuse center for teachers
Recycling Revenue!
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Proceeds from the following go directly to
schools:
Ink & toner recycling
⬜ Clothing and Textiles
⬜ Paper recycling
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FY16 $2,500
FY16 $24,821
FY16 $2,600
LEED Schools
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LEED Platinum
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LEED Gold
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Two schools
Florida Green Building Coalition-Certified
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Five schools
LEED Certified
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Five schools
LEED Silver
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One school
One school
LEED for Existing Buildings
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One school
Energy Conservation
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Since 2008, reduced energy consumption 22% Districtwide, which has saved over $25 million
Measures employed:
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More EMS control
Bill auditing
Dark campuses – all exterior lights off at night
Schools must submit HVAC schedules
Added occupancy sensors
Computers automatically shut down after hours
Aggressive summer shutdowns
“20% Rule” – team cleaning of buildings
Energy Incentive Program
More GREEN…
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Outreach and Education
Green Schools Recognition Program
Green Schools Ambassador Program
Energy Conservation Incentive Program
Green Schools Recognition Program Luncheon
Green School Beach Clean-up
District-wide Green Policies
◻ 7.196 Energy and Water Use Conservation Use
Policy
◻ 7.1965 Energy Conservation Incentive Program
◻ 7.197 Waste Reduction, Materials reuse and
Recycling
◻ 6.14 Purchasing Environmentally Preferable
Purchasing
◻ 2.24 School Bus and Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicle
Idling Reduction Policy
◻ 2.035 Wellness Promotion
Presentations and Consultations
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Varying audiences:
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Students
Teachers
Custodians
Tech support
District staff
Community involvement:
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IFAS/UF/PBC Sustainable
Floridians
Local agencies and
organizations
Green Schools Recognition
Program
❏Open to public AND private schools
❏22 schools 1st year; 89 schools 8th year
❏Cash prizes for top schools
❏Recognized at annual luncheon and
awards ceremony
Energy Conservation Incentive
Program
 Two categories :
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Top performers: $10,105
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Most improved: $3,719
Where are we going next?
Secure “green champions” at each school
◻ Increase funding through grants
◻ Develop partnerships with Palm Beach
County municipalities
◻ Increase access to materials
◻ Establish District-wide best management
practices and standardize recycling
procedures
◻ Integrate sustainability into curriculum
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For more information…
 District green schools website
www.palmbeachschools.org/ecs
 Lisa Toy:
lisa.toy@palmbeachschools.org
Phone: 561-688-7602
❏ Karen Aubry:
karen.aubry@palmbeachschools.org
Phone: 561-688-7656
Special thanks to our conference sponsor!
www.machinexrecycling.com