Pacific Elementary is a Certified Green School
Overview
Pacific School has been a leader in environmental education for decades through our Life Lab and FoodLab programs, among many other initiatives. In recent years, our activities in this area have expanded considerably. We are a certified green school through the California Green Business Network. Below is an overview of our current and recent green initiatives.
Pacific School has been a leader in environmental education for decades through our Life Lab and FoodLab programs, among many other initiatives. In recent years, our activities in this area have expanded considerably. We are a certified green school through the California Green Business Network. Below is an overview of our current and recent green initiatives.
Water
- Faucets and fixtures have been upgraded to low-flow. Additional upgrades will be made during the summer of 2024.
- The lawn and garden sprinkler systems are turned off in the winter and adjusted to minimize water use and evaporative loss in the summer.
- In 2023, in collaboration with a class at UCSC, we completed a water audit of the Life Lab garden and discovered a previously unknown leak, which has since been addressed.
- In 2024, also in collaboration with a class at UCSC, a rainwater catchment and storage system is being installed in the Life Lab garden for use watering garden beds.
- Planter beds around the school require little or no water.
Energy
- Skylights in main rooms reduce the need for electric lighting.
- LED lighting is in use throughout the school, with motion-detecting and automatic-off features in appropriate locations.
- Solar panels have been installed which offset much of the school's electricity use.
Solid Waste
- All classrooms and office areas have and use recycling bins. Cardboard is flattened and recycled regularly. Teachers specifically train and encourage students in recycling.
- Garden waste is composted on site through compost piles and worm bins, or through the county's composting program.
- Food scraps are collected and donated to a local farm, and used for chicken or hog feed.
- The FoodLab program uses and washes dishes, not disposable food containers.
- Office paper, paper towels, bathroom tissue, and napkins have high recycled paper contents. The kitchen uses reusable rags and aprons.
- "New" furniture is usually purchased or donated used.
- We donate, rather than throw away, unwanted items whenever possible.
Transportation
- We encourage use of the Santa Cruz Metro bus service for transportation to school, and carpooling for transportation home.