Waste Audit!

We have just completed our first waste audit! We collected 24 hours of garbage and recycling and did a visual audit using clear bags and visual estimation. We also weighed the garbage and recorded all of our findings. All together we had 8 bags of garbage with a total mass of 12.8 kg and 6 bags of recycling with a total mass of 12 kg. The majority of the garbage was paper towels and organics (bananas, apples, sandwiches) which can now be put in our green bins.

Here are our average findings:

Garbage Audit

Recyclable containers
7.5 %
Recyclable paper
10.8 %
Food Waste/Organics
45.1 %
Garbage
36.5 %

Recycling Audit

Recyclable containers
17.5 %
Recyclable paper
79.5 %
Food Waste/Organics
2.5 %
Garbage
3.5 %

Our school is doing a fantastic job with recycling, now we need to focus on using our green bins properly. Our goal is to cut our waste by 40% by Earth Day, April 22, 2011. We can do it!

Rethink water

Today we talked about the effects that bottled water are having on our environment. We will be talking about this even more (and even doing our own taste test!) as we prepare for our campaign to make St. James a bottle water free zone. Click on the link below to see the cool video we watched today that helps us learn the real facts about bottled water. Enjoy!

http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/

Duck, duck, GOOS

Every classroom now has a GOOS (good on one side) paper bucket. Make sure you put in any paper that has only been used on one side. You can then use it as draft paper for brainstorming, math problem solving, doodling, etc. Did you now that recycled paper requires 64% less energy than making new paper from wood pulp??? So, don't forget to recycle that paper once it is used on both sides!

Don't get Busted!

Our EcoBusters (looking great in their super cool shirts!) started patrolling the halls last week checking to see if the lights were off when there was no one was in the room. Many classes were BUSTED! This week, EcoBusters will be checking lights and making sure that the Black Box is being used properly. Will your class be busted???? Stay tuned to find out!