BEGOÑAKO GREEN ALLIANCE

BEGOÑAKO GREEN ALLIANCE

BEGOÑAKO Green Alliance believes in leading by example! As we endeavour to create a green world, we commit to ensuring that our own school is green! By establishing eco-friendly activities, we are helping build a safe and sustainable future for our planet. The following 10 benchmarks will help us establish our institution Green.

1. CURRICULUM

• Promote projects in the school programmes educates children about the environment.
• Organize presentations/seminars/workshops to staff about eco-practices or environmental issues.
• Post environmental messages and tips at key locations at our institution.

2. Zero Litter

• Encourage students to think about reducing litter in daily activities.
• Carry out sensitisation programmes about reducing litter and the importance of clean surroundings.
• Encourage teachers and studens to use reusable bags (through education and incentives) and make them available at our institution.

3. Waste management

• Choose durable materials/furnishings to reduce the cost/waste associated with replacement.
• Donate used office equipment and supplies to services organizations, churches, schools or other groups that could use them.
• While recycling, separate waste into glass, metals, plastics and paper/cardboard. Have properly labelled waste bins at appropriate locations on the school.
• Encourage composting of organic waste for reuse in landscaping activities.

4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY

• Conduct an energy audit of your organization to understand where most energy is being used and how you can cut back.
• Switch out standard lights with compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. They are more economical, save energy and last longer than a regular light.
• Reduce travel to meetings by encouraging online meetings and teleconferencing.
• Plan deliveries and other transportation activities carefully to reduce the need to drive.

• Fix any leaky faucets, showerheads or toilets immediately.
• Ask staff or students to report any leaks immediately to the facilities team.
• Replace full-flush toilets with low-flush toilets that use significantly less water than regular flush toilets.
• Replace standard shower heads with a low flow aerated shower heads. This provides the same water pressure but uses half a gallon less water a minute.

5. Water Conservation

6. Avoid Plastic Pollution

• Educate students about the dangers of plastic bags.
• Reuse garbage bags in cubicle bins by emptying all garbage into one bag at the end of the day.
• Purchase biodegradable plastic bags instead of regular plastic bags.
• Use reusable, durable containers or bags for storage instead of plastic bags.
• Encourage the use of reusable/washable dishware and cutlery at events and programmes organised by the institution.
• Encourage staff to bring their own mugs for coffee or te.

7. HEALTHY FOOD

• If possible develop an organic vegetable garden within the campus of your institution.
• Create a healthy food policy for your institution.
• Provide professional development opportunities for teachers/parents and other support staff to teach and promote healthy eating and being active.
• Involve students/parents/staff in guiding food policy and practice within the institution and enable them to contribute to healthy eating, and act on their feedback. Encourage staff/students/parents to develop healthy eating habits and the benefits of eating organically produced food.

8. ENRICHED BIODIBERSITY

• Plan a field day for students to get out, explore and appreciate the local environment.
• Volunteer with the local department staff in your region to participate and organise programmes that protect endangered species of flora and fauna.
• Organise/Participate in tree plantations in the neighbourhood or region. Sponsor an environmental challenge/competition for a community.
• Clean your local water bodies, forest lands and other habitats in your locality.

GREEN PAPER RECYCLED

• Encourage the use of environmentally friendly products & promote locally produced products
• Purchase products packaged in minimal or biodegradable packaging.
• Have clearly defined operational procedures and standards and train staff in order to reduce unnecessary/careless errors or use of materials.
• Avoid unnecessary purchases for the office/business; all purchases eventually become waste.
• Plan operations carefully to use the minimum inputs/materials possible.
• Buy materials in concentrate or in bulk when possible to reduce on packaging waste.
• Buy products that are reusable, returnable or refillable.

9. GREEN PROCUREMENT

10. Green Committee

• Promote Eco-clubs in the Institution Sponsor a programme/club that educates children about the environment.
• Post environmental messages/reminders at the institution.
• Organize presentations/seminars/workshops to staff about eco-practices or environmental issues.
• Post environmental messages and tips at key locations at your institution.