Energy and Environment
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle – the 3 R’s work for both environmental and energy conservation. Connect with your schools Green Team and ask them what you can do to help.
Energy: Langley School District has implemented many energy projects in the past few years to improve energy efficiency.
Recycling Program
Quickly dwindling landfill space, high financial cost of incineration, global warming contribution from landfills, and declining natural resources highlight the necessity of plans to reduce waste and improve recycling in the region. Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resources Management Plan (ISWRMP) outlines a target of 70% landfill diversion by 2015, and 80% by 2020. In order to achieve these goals, Metro Vancouver has developed several strategic priorities to target specific areas in need of improved waste practices. School District 35 will be influenced directly by ISWRMP action strategy 2.6.2.
Metro Vancouver will ban all compostable organics from disposal to landfills.
In light of this coming regulation and constant request from interested students, School District 35 began developing implementation of improved recycling program that includes organic collection and glass, metal, plastic, and paper recycling within the district.
There are three bins in hallways:
- Blue for Recyclables (Glass, Metal, Certain Plastics, and Papers)
- Green for Organics
- Black for Waste
Students are responsible to empty the classroom bins into hallway stations at the end of the day.
What Goes in Each Bin
Recycling Program Education
Education is the most important element of our new recycling program. Without a proper education, materials would end up in the wrong bins and we will not achieve the best result out of this great initiative. So we encourage you to book an education session for staff or student leader teams at your school. Please email us at GreenTeam35@SD35.bc.ca
How to start?
Please check our Staff Education Handout to get some hints.
What else is out there?
Our pilot program showed educating students on what happens to different items after recycling is very important. Here are a couple interesting videos related to the recycling program.
The Cycle
Dirty Green Bin?
Does your classroom Green Bin get dirty too often? See this video for a great solution!
Have questions about the program?
You will most likely find your answers in the following section. If you still have a question, please email us at GreenTeam35@SD35.bc.ca.
Green Teams
Why Green Teams?
The seeds of environmental awareness and green thinking can be planted early. The concept of sustainability can flourish in schools, where student energy, enthusiasm and openness to new ideas are high. Students involved in sustainability projects and clubs in schools are more likely to consider sustainability second nature for the rest of their lives (Perry, 2004).
Who is on the Team?
The composition of your team is very important. Run by the Administrator it should include:
- Teaching Staff – more than one to share the load
- Custodial Staff
- Students – at least 4 and hopefully more (Grades 5+)
- PAC members or Parent Volunteers – one or two (optional)
Talk to your principal or designate administrator
A full package of guidelines and instructions was given to each school. If you are interested to become involved, contact your principal or email us at GreenTeam35@sd35.bc.ca
What is the next step?
After talking to your principal or designate one individual about the Green Team, you should start finding the interested students and members. Please refer to Green Team Guidebook for more details about how to start.
Green Team Guidlines
Register your Green Team so we can keep track of your points.
Book an education session with the District to learn more on how to start and how to lead your Green Team.
Report back to us by filling in Bi-Monthly report templates. We will keep track on what you are doing at your school by these reports and the Green Team with the highest points will win a water refill station. There are other prizes for best Green Teams such as field trip to recycling facility and etc.
Get Involved
The seeds of environmental awareness and green thinking can be planted early. The concept of sustainability can flourish in elementary, middle and secondary schools, where student energy, enthusiasm and openness to new ideas are high. Students involved in sustainability projects and clubs in elementary and high schools are more likely to consider sustainability second nature for the rest of their lives.
We encourage you to check different sources available for educators: