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? ◻ ◻ ◻ ◻ ◻ ◻ 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 ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ Waste Reduction & Recycling Building Green Schools Energy Conservation Green Policies Outreach and Education History of District Recycling Efforts ◻ ◻ ◻ ◻ ◻ 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 ◻ 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 n/a 290,518 lbs Paper & cardboard Fluorescent light bulbs Recycling = Savings! ◻ ◻ ◻ 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 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! ◻ Proceeds from the following go directly to schools: Ink & toner recycling ⬜ Clothing and Textiles ⬜ Paper recycling ⬜ FY16 $2,500 FY16 $24,821 FY16 $2,600 LEED Schools ◻ LEED Platinum ■ ◻ LEED Gold ■ ◻ Two schools Florida Green Building Coalition-Certified ■ ◻ Five schools LEED Certified ■ ◻ Five schools LEED Silver ■ ◻ One school One school LEED for Existing Buildings ■ One school Energy Conservation ◻ ◻ Since 2008, reduced energy consumption 22% Districtwide, which has saved over $25 million Measures employed: ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ ⬜ 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… ◻ ◻ ◻ ◻ 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 Varying audiences: Students Teachers Custodians Tech support District staff Community involvement: 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 : Top performers: $10,105 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 ◻ 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