The Catalyst: Sustainability in Schools

By: Joelle Ciriacy

As students don their backpacks, organize their folders, and sharpen their pencils for the new school year, let’s take a moment to consider the environmental footprint of our schools. Each school has a footprint, this includes all the resources and energy used to support the school, as well as the impact of the physical school grounds on the surrounding environment. There are many avenues through which you can help your local school reduce their footprint, especially through waste management and energy usage.

The World Wildlife Fund reports that many schools produce over 39 pounds of wasted food in the cafeteria per student each year. Many schools have implemented share tables, where students may place unconsumed whole food and beverage items (e.g., milk, whole fruit) that can be taken by other students or donated to a non-profit. The USDA has specifically encouraged participants in the National School Lunch Program to implement share tables and developed guidance to ensure food safety. The National Resources Defense Council has published a collection of other creative strategies to reduce food waste like offering samples of food in the cafeteria line so students are able to try an item before taking it, offering milk in bulk dispensers, and completing waste audits.

The EPA Energy Star Program reports that more that 30 percent of K-12 school energy usage goes to waste, but there lots of ways to support your local school to reduce energy usage. First, work with administration to use EPA’s energy tracking tool, Portfolio Manager, to review your school’s energy performance over time. Work with students, teachers, and facilities staff to do a treasure hunt to identify opportunities for no-cost energy savings. Check with facilities staff to see what type of lighting is being used in the school; if it is time to update to more efficient lighting, ask if you might help arrange a fundraiser to replace inefficient fixtures.

Many school districts, staff, parents, and students across Tennessee are working to reduce their environmental footprints and save money by reducing food waste, recycling, conserving energy and water, and swapping diesel school busses for electric and alternative fuels. You too can make a difference in your community by identifying opportunities to initiate and support simple sustainability initiatives in your local school.

September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide initiative designed to raise awareness about hunger in the United States and to inspire individuals to combat this pressing issue. Hunger is a complex problem that affects millions of people across the country, regardless of their background.

Why is Hunger Action Month important? One in eight Americans are food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food. Getting involved in Hunger Action Month is easy. You can donate to local food banks, volunteer your time at food pantries, or advocate for policies that support food access. The Society of St. Andrew’s (SoSA)Tennessee Regional Office provides numerous volunteer opportunities for those looking to get involved. 

SoSA’s Tennessee Gleaning Network coordinates volunteers across the state who rescue food at farms, farmers markets, and even processing facilities and distribute it those in need.  SoSA has rescued and shared an average of one million pounds of food per year.

The recent Tennessee Pollution Prevention (P2) Workshops were a great success, with strong attendance, informative presentations, and engaging discussions. Participants learned about key environmental topics such as extreme weather events and their impact on industries, expected changes to particulate matter standards, and sustainability success stories from local manufacturers. These sessions provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for environmental protection and sustainable practices in Tennessee.

Looking ahead, we invite you to join our upcoming webinar on "Fleet Electrification and Automation in Tennessee." This webinar will explore the latest advancements in sustainable fleet management, covering topics such as charging incentives, fleet electrification, automation, and the Tennessee Green Fleets (TGF) Certification Program. Hear from experts like the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition and EHS representatives from Nokian Tyres, who will share experiences with forklift electrification and automation. Don’t miss this chance to learn from industry leaders about fleet innovation!

Mother Nature teased Tennesseans with a week of pleasant “False Fall” weather before the return of extremely hot temperatures. When outside temperatures are in the upper 90s, we want the insides of our homes and businesses nice and cool. Unfortunately, cool interior temperatures come with a price. Here are some money saving tips for the remaining dog days of summer:

Most air conditioning systems can lower inside temperatures up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit...meaning if it’s 95 degrees outside, don’t expect your air conditioning system to cool your home or business to 65 degrees. Attempts to lower beyond 20 degrees will likely result in excessive utility bills but not cooler homes.
Close curtains and blinds, especially in the afternoon sun. Sunlight and heat coming through the windows can raise interior temperatures quickly.
Ensure ceiling fans are rotating counterclockwise to push cool air down to the ground (and clockwise during winter). Remember that ceiling fans only cool you; they do not lower the temperature of the room. Turn fans off when you leave the room.