GSA recommends that your school implement at least two of the following actions, or equivalent actions that may be more suitable:

• Adopt a policy requiring the purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products.

• Establish a policy of using Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and other measures to mitigate all carbon emissions.

• Purchase or produce at least 15% of our school’s electricity consumption from renewable sources. (See: Green-e and Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.)

• Develop a building policy ensuring that all future renovation and new construction will meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver or equivalent.

• Invest in real-time energy monitoring systems in several school buildings. Incorporate this in the science curriculum.

• Establish a no-idling policy on your campus. Encourage carpooling, bike riding, walking, and use of public transportation.

• Adopt a school-wide waste management policy and measure progress on a monthly basis.

• Implement a policy to limit or restrict the use of individual small appliances in classrooms (eg. Space heaters, popcorn poppers, refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, etc.)

• Adopt a once-a-month cafeteria cold lunch program.

• Launch a green purchasing initiative to identify environmentally responsible products and work with existing vendors to ensure minimal environmental impacts from their products and packaging.  

• Create a small faculty work group representing several departments to revise at least three courses to include content on climate change and/or sustainability.

• Install waterless urinals, low-flush toilets, sink aerators, and/or “low-flow” showerheads in your school as a pilot program.

• Host two meetings with local community members to discuss and plan for sustainable community development involving both the school and local/regional community.

• Launch a campus food initiative that includes starting a vegetable and herb garden and a cafeteria/garden composting program.

• Launch a campus initiative to reduce pesticide use [interior and exterior], reduce turfgrass, and increase native plantings.

• Install high-efficiency energy transformers to reduce source and site energy loss.

• Start a small biodiesel project at your school. Use it in the chemistry curriculum and use the biodiesel to power at least one campus vehicle.

• Implement a signage program to create campus awareness [eg. turning off lights, computers, etc.]

• Use your school as a “teaching Tool” to educate students and other members of the school community about energy efficiency and conservation.

• Support a student sustainability initiative that contributes to conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

• Investigate and implement the “Dark School” program to reduce nighttime energy usage.

• Develop a school-wide or disctrict-wide energy management policy or plan.