Recycling and composting report October 2021
Environmental impact reports are now available for October. As a result of recycling efforts, LPS saved:
- 629 trees
- 151,807 kWh of energy
- 259,182 gallons of water
- 122 cubic yards of local landfill space
- 2,222 lbs of air pollution
- 15,181 gallons of fuel
Sustainability Spotlight: Andrea Jenkins at Everett Elementary
Andrea Jenkins is the Everett art teacher and has also served as the school sustainability champion since 2016. Jenkins chose to be a sustainability champion and lead the Everett Green Team because she recognized the importance of students seeing the difference they can make in their school’s sustainability [more].
9th Annual Holiday Lights Recycling Drive
The 9th Annual Recycle Holiday Lights Drive benefiting Eastridge Elementary School PTO, the Science Focus Program, and Lincoln Fire Fighters has arrived! Lights are collected from November 15th - January 10th at drop off sites all over Lincoln. You can drop off lights in collection bins at all of the Lincoln Fire Stations, outside of the LPS Science Focus Program, and in the Eastridge Elementary parking lot. Over the past eight years more than 80,000 pounds of holiday lights have been recycled through this program.
Lights will be collected from their stations and delivered to Scrap Central Inc. in Omaha. Lights can be in working or nonworking condition. The different components are separated and recycled. Scrap Central will pay $0.40 per pound for the recycled lights. The proceeds are then distributed among different organizations- 25% of funds raised from recycled holiday lights will be donated to Lincoln Fire Fighters Operation Warm, 25% of funds raised will be donated to the Science Focus Program, and 50% of funds will go to the Eastridge Elementary PTO. This funding benefits PTO initiatives like purchasing coding robots, ukuleles for the music rooms and special gym equipment.
Click HERE for a flyer with more details.
COP26 Resources for Schools
Last month was the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) which gathered leaders from all over the world to look at the state of the climate and discuss actions to address climate change. During the event, the role of schools were a part of the discussion. This Green America’s Schools Presentation with Center for Green Schools, UndauntedK12, and New Buildings Institute explored why the K-12 sector is so important for solving our climate crisis. Here are the SLIDES that go along with the PRESENTATION.
Also, several organizations came together to create the “Our Climate Our Future” COP26 classroom resources pack that is available through the World Wildlife Fund. The resources are adapted for different age groups and available on the WWF Website.
If you do an activity or lesson with the resources, don’t forget to report it for the Green Schools Recognition Program!
Community Crops School Garden Newsletter
Check out the newest LPS School Gardens Newsletter which gives tips on winterizing outdoor growing spaces. Refer to the LPS Sustainability School Garden Page to access current and past newsletters. This resource is also being shared with the School Gardens network on a tool called Slack. If you would like to get connected to this network, please reach out to sustainability@lps.org.
EPA Environmental Educators and Youth Awards
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now accepting applications for the 2022 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). PEYA recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects from students in grades K-12, by promoting environmental awareness and encouraging community involvement. PIAEE recognizes outstanding K-12 grade educators who integrate environmental, place-based experiential learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country. The deadline for applications is February 18, 2022.
Click here for more information and to access the PEYA application.
Click here for more information and to access the PIAEE application.
Green Schools Catalyst Quarterly
Don’t forget about the Green Schools Catalyst Quarterly, a free publication all about healthy and sustainable K-12 schools. Check out the latest issue which focuses on the connection between sustainability and equity. All of their past issues are also available HERE.
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