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Pollution Prevention (P2) Opportunities
for Schools and Universities

Images of teachers, pupils, blackboard and pupil with chemistry lab equipment

According to EPA, about 53 million children and 6 million adults spend a good part of their day in more than 120,000 public and private schools. Our schools, colleges and universities have the opportunity to not only lessen the environmental impact of their institutions, but to set an example for our future environmental stewards. Learn the ABCs of creating healthy and sustainable schools that can enhance learning.

Topics

Sustainability
K-12 Schools can be part of the Green Leaf Schools program that focuses on continuous improvement.
Colleges have a number of free resources available to assist them with sustainability efforts.

Climate Change
Schools, colleges and universities can take action on reducing the effects of climate change!

Healthy Schools (EPA) 
This web site provides one-stop access to programs and resources available to help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools.

Indoor Air Quality
According to the CT Dept. of Public Health (DPH), poor indoor air quality in schools is a major public health issue both nationally and in Connecticut. 

Food Service
Schools can reduce the environmental impact of serving food by buying local food, reducing food waste and composting.

Pesticides and Organic Land Care
Learn about the pesticide ban from the grounds of day care and grades 8 and lower. Find out how to transition to organic land care.

Green Cleaning
Learn about the law requiring green cleaning programs in schools. Find environmentally preferable cleaning products and how to clean and sanitize kitchen areas and equipment.

High Performance Schools
Ahigh performance school is a facility that improves the learning environment while saving energy, resources, and money. (Source: EPA

Labs and Chemical Management 
Find out how to limit exposure, prevent accidents and dispose of lab and cleaning chemicals properly.

Recycling
All CT schools, colleges and universities are required by law to recycle.

Walking and Biking To School
Reduce traffic congestion, get healthy and improve air quality!

School Bus Anti-Idling
Diesel bus exhaust is harmful to human health and it also impacts the quality of the air we all breathe.

 

Sustainability
  • CT Green Leaf Schools program was created to promote green and healthy schools for all.  It is a great way to focus on sustainability in your school. All K12 schools in Connecticut are eligible to participate in this continuous improvement program. Participation can also lead to recognition in the state, as well as through the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Awards.
  • The Green Guide for Universities is a new publication that you can download for free now.  It was developed by the International Alliance of Research Universities’ (IARU) and the international think-tank Sustainia.
  • CT Alliance for Campus Sustainability is a collaboration and list serve developed to share information on climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy, storm water and water management, land use, and other sustainability related issues.   
  • Energy Star resources for higher education
Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Indoor Air Quality
Food Service
Pesticides and Organic Land Care
Green Cleaning
High Performance Schools
Labs and Chemical Management
Recycling
  • Get more information about recycling in grades K-12 and colleges
  • Is your school already recycling? Go beyond the 3 R's.
  • RecycleMania is a friendly competition for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction.
Walking And Biking To School
School Bus Anti-Idling

 

Content last updated December 2019