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DPS is Going Green
In the past year, Durham Public Schools has boosted several initiatives to go green and do our part to preserve the environment. Two of the most notable green activities have been an increased effort to recycle and the incorporation of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards in construction and renovation projects.
In the second year of the consolidated waste and recycling contract, DPS delivered more than 2,050 blue recycling bins to both schools and administrative sites. These blue bins allowed students and employees to recycle mixed materials including paper, aluminum, glass and plastic. As a result of these increased recycling efforts, more than 340 tons of recycled materials were collected during the 2008-2009 school year.
The Internal and Warehouse Services are also joining the green initiative. This department has started recycling discarded electronic equipment, discarded textbooks and recycling all test and benchmark booklets. Additionally, Warehouse Services established a goal of 40 percent of the stocked items purchased being made of recycled materials.
Furthermore, the Construction and Planning Department has adopted LEED standards in the design of new schools and additions and expansions. LEED-certified buildings typically use resources more efficiently when compared to conventional buildings which are simply built to code. Some of the green initiatives being explored to receive LEED certification include reducing building and landscaping water use, increasing the amount of recycled materials used in construction, installing CO2 monitoring, increasing the amount of natural daylight in classrooms and offices and using low VOC-emitting materials during construction.
Aside from new construction, DPS already has incorporated LEED goals at various locations by installing carpets made of recyclable materials, using “green” certified floor tile, installing rain barrels and replacing lighting.
DPS has instituted numerous programs to lead the way in energy conservation and environmental preservation. The district will continue to explore new initiatives to build a more sustainable and green future for the community.
