Initiatives
For the last two years School Connections has been working to improve sustainability in Newton Public Schools. We believe the best way to address this issue is to institutionalize environmental practices, such as recycling, food waste management, and energy consumption.
After our group reached out to the Newton School Committee about the need to improve recycling in Newton’s schools, a school recycling policy was adopted by the committee. Our advocacy was instrumental to include environmental practices and waste reduction when selecting a new food service vendor for schools, and representatives of our group will participate in discussions to improve food quality and sustainability in school cafeterias. In June, we worked with city leaders to submit a MassDEP grant application to support the expansion of the school recycling program. Our group is also advocating for the city’s approval to set up textile recycling collection containers outside of each school building.
Below are more details about the initiatives we have been working on.
We also support another Green Newton initiative: Students for a Greener World.
Schools
Here we share past and current green initiatives at individual Newton schools. And tell us about initiatives in your school that you would like to share here.
Recycling Signage
Did you know that Newton schools do not have enough recycling bins and most of them do not have accurate signs listing what materials are recyclable?
Sustainability Coordinator for NPS
Environmental practices are not institutionalized in our schools; the district needs a dedicated Sustainability Coordinator
School Waste Assessment Survey
The Survey was created by the Sustainable Materials Management office in the DWP. It was taken by GN School Connections volunteers and DWP summer interns.
Food Recovery Program
Inspired by the successful Food recovery program Wellesley Public Schools is implementing, GN School Connections is exploring the possibility of introducing it to Newton Public Schools.