Case Study: Skyridge Middle School

A Team Effort

If every single middle school in the US made that difference in garbage output, how much less trash would go into landfills?

Grade: Middle
City: Camas
County: Clark
District: Camas School District
Category: Recycling & Waste Reduction
Date: Jul 28, 2009

Skyridge Middle School students and staff recognize the power of teamwork in their WA Green School efforts; their Green Team included 4 Teachers, a custodian, and two students. Communication was a big part of their school’s Level 1 certification success. They posted signs in bathrooms to increase awareness about water conservation, sent periodic emails to school staff to encourage resource sharing, and set up a highly visible recycling and composting station in the dining room. They also appointed an Eco-Officer and will have an Eco-Administrator and Eco-Volunteer Coordinator to help spread the word and organize efforts next year.

From Waste Reduction to Worms

The Skyridge Green Team began with a custodian interview to learn about the recycling habits of students and staff. Then they developed a plan for getting the most impact in the least amount of time. They focused on shifting behavior, such as using email instead of paper for newsletters and reusing paper for draft print jobs. They organized a “Great Locker Cleanout” to collect reusable school supplies, and set up worm bins. They also challenged teachers to exchange full size garbage bins with mini-bins. As a result, they reduced their daily garbage from 65 to 18 bags per day! This translates to 2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e), or about the same as taking 1 typical American driver & vehicle off the road for nearly half a year!* Skyridge Middle School anticipates annual savings of $3,000 due to these efforts.

* Assumes: reduction in garbage disposal tonnage is through increased recycling, and standard 33 gallon garbage bags that weight an average of 25 lbs each. Based on EPA Waste Reduction Model (WARM) GHG emissions for mixed recyclables.

Here Comes the Sun

Skyridge encourages students and staff to dress for the season to minimize heating and cooling demand. District-wide HVAC standards have greatly reduced energy consumption. During cold months, staff are encouraged to keep blinds closed to contain heat. Printers and electronic devices are turned off during breaks and weekends. Skyridge also established school-wide strategies for turning off lights when adequate sunlight is available. All their efforts are part of reducing their environmental footprint as well as saving operating costs.

By Ann Hoffman, Green Team Lead

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