Sustainability at Sunstone
What We Are Doing:
Reducing Waste
- Using durable dishware and cups for classroom lunches, drinking water, school events, etc.
- Reusable cleaning cloths
- Performing an annual waste audit to measure and track what we send to the landfill (garbage) and what we divert from the landfill (recycling and compost)
- Utilizing a school-wide color-coded bin system for all waste, compost and recycling
- Composting food scraps, flower trimmings and yard debris
- Purchasing post-consumer content paper towels, file folders, envelopes, office paper and journals
- Purchasing energy star appliances when replacing old appliances
- Purchasing SFC pencils and clipboards
- Using foam soap dispensers in classrooms, bathroom and kitchen spaces
- Utilizing paperless billing with our families and practicing paperless bill pay and banking for business purposes
Recycing
- Recycling bins in all rooms used to recycle all curbside recycling materials
- Recycling non-curbside materials such as batteries, light bulbs, electronics, Styrofoam, ink cartridges, packing materials, other plastic material
- Hosting twice-yearly community electronics recycling collections with neighborhood partner Green Century Electronics Recyling
Reuse
- Holding an annual used book exchange on Earth Day for all grades (leftover books are donated to The Children’s Book Bank)
- Collecting cardboard and other items to use for classroom work and school projects
- Having scrap paper collection bins in classrooms
- Reusing classroom and office supplies whenever possible including scrap paper, file folders, cardboard, fabric, shoe and shipping boxes, etc.
Water and Energy Efficiency
- Utilizing CFL light bulbs in place of incandescent bulbs where possible
- Turning off lights when not in use and turning off computer equipment at the end of the day
- Installing dual-flush devises on all of our toilets which has reduced our water usage by 70%
- Installing and maintaining aerators on most sinks and sanitizers
- Tracking monthly electricity, natural gas and water use
- Participating in the annual Walk + Bike to School month every May
Wildlife habitat and ecosystem
- Maintaining several gardens for classroom involvement, conservation purposes and neighborhood outreach, including a Learning garden, a Native Plant Garden and a Water-Wise Garden, and a biowale
- Cleaning garbage along the Willamette River and in Willamette park
- Planting and landscape design for stormwater management
- Providing additional habitat for pollinators (Pollinator boxes)
Community Engagement
- Collaborating with Green Team members, students, parents and staff to maintain our current green school practices and to create additional opportunities for environmental activism
- Supporting a student green team run by upper elementary children
- Educating students and families about packing waste-free lunches
- Providing community education about waste reduction, recycling, composting, greener cleaners and more at our annual Fall Festival celebration
- Celebrate Earth Day with students, staff and parents by participating in organized gardening, conservation and art activities
- Conducting an annual neighborhood cleanup on Earth Day with students, staff and parents
- Attending the annual Oregon Green Schools Summit each spring
- Providing a bicycle tire repair kit, lock and air pump for employees, students, parents and visitors
- Displaying alternative transportation options (bus lines, walk and biking paths) on our website
- Partnering with local organizations such as Willamette Riverkeepers and Portland Parks & Rec to help preserve and maintain portions of Willamette Park just a few blocks from our school
- Free “Little library” on Corbett Avenue
Contact:
Kristen Sevier
Outdoor Specialist and Sustainability Coordinator
503-768-3847
ksevier@sunstonemontessori.org