Issues > July/August 2006 (#115) > The Top 10 Green Schools in the U.S.: 2006

The Top 10 Green Schools in the U.S.: 2006

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The Criteria
To update our 2005 list of green schools, this April The Green Guide sent out invitations to over 2,500 schools to participate in its 2006 green schools survey, garnering in-depth responses from 67 of the most environmentally-committed K-12's in the U.S. The survey covered 10 categories, listed below, with up to 10 points awarded per category, for a maximum of 100 points.

1. Green Building and Construction: We asked administrators if the school was built or remodeled using LEED guidelines, if it received certification and, if so, what level (standard, silver, gold or platinum). Seventeen schools were built—and three remodeled—according to green standards. We also checked if the green factors below were considered:
a) Site Location
b) Indoor Air Quality
c) Energy Efficiency
d) Material Selection
e) Waste Management

2. Electricity Supply: Almost 40 percent of U.S. emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) comes from electric utilities. We asked about use of renewable energy to reduce CO2 output, specifically whether schools had on-site or off-site solar, wind, hydroelectric or other sources of energy. On-site solar proved the most popular; eight schools possessed it in some form.

3. Food: Here we asked whether schools offered organic food and relied on local growers, as well as whether they reused dishes and silverware. Twelve schools served organic food, while 18 had committed to using local sources. We also asked if the school allowed vending machines and, if so, what they contained (candy, chips, and soda on one hand, or juice, water, healthy snacks, and fruit on the other). Seventeen schools in our survey did not allow vending machines on campus and only seven allowed candy to be sold in them.

4. Recycling: Schools indicated if they had a recycling program and which materials, ranging from aluminum to ink cartridges, and electronic equipment to plastic, were recycled. Almost all schools surveyed had recycling programs covering many of the materials listed.

5. Procurement Policies: Institutions that commit to purchasing recycled, low-toxicity goods both help build the marketplace and maintain air quality and other green standards. We asked if the school had an environmental procurement policy and, if so, which factors it took into account. Factors included recycled content, life cycle analysis, energy use, water use, toxicity, length of usable life. We also left space for the school to mention other considerations. Twenty-three schools had environmental procurement policies, with recycled content and energy use the most frequently cited factors. We also asked if the schools looked for Green Seal certification for office and other products (only five did) as well as take-back programs for electronic equipment (17 here). Lastly, we considered methods of reducing paper usage, such as e-mailing newsletters and assignments.

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