Every child deserves a learning environment that's safe, comfortable and free of harmful toxins. Unfortunately, many schools across the country lack the funds to carry out much-needed repairs and renovations – subjecting children to outdated facilities with improper ventilation, poor lighting and inefficient energy usage. Global Green USA is working to address this situation and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in a healthy, green school. This year, Pureology is pleased to present the 2ndGlobal Green USA Green School Makeover Competition. From January 1 to March 31, 2013, a parent, teacher, student or individual can nominate any K – 12 public, private or charter school they think deserves a Green School Makeover! "Green schools improve student test scores, lower energy bills, and promote a more ecologically sound atmosphere. It's the 3 R's of green schools: Rise in student performance levels and teacher retention; Reduction in carbon emissions and toxins; and Renewed hope in education and the future," said Matt Petersen, President and CEO of Global Green USA. "We are thrilled that our partnership with Pureology allows us to continue this national competition and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in a healthy, environmentally-friendly school."
Why Green Schools?
When a school goes green, children benefit – as well as the environment. Green schools lead to:
- Improved student performance. When children learn in classrooms with natural daylight, improved sound quality and non-toxic building materials such as non-VOC carpets and paints, test scores can improve as much as 20%. Attendance also improves!
- More funds for student resources. When green upgrades are made to a school, water and energy costs can be reduced by as much as 40%. These savings can be channeled back into resources that directly benefit students, such as textbooks, computers and other essentials.
- Reduced carbon footprint. Greening a school significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.
A few ideas for your Green School Makeover:
- Creating a recycling program
- Conducting an energy audit to determine ways energy can be saved
- Installing solar shades to improve natural daylighting of classrooms
- Switching to green cleaning products
- Installing energy-efficient light bulbs
- Using sustainable building materials, such as bamboo flooring and recycled runner gym mats
- Replacing outdated or unsafe carpets and other materials with new, non-toxic ones
Take action and nominate a school for Global Green USA's Green School Makeover Competition Presented by Pureology! From January 1 to March 31, 2013, visitPureology.com/GreenSchools to learn more and nominate a school. Work with your school principal or school facilities administrator to complete the application. Remember to think about the types of green upgrades your school needs and why; allow 6 weeks from the start of the application to completion. Global Green USA will review all applications and announce the winner in Q2 2013. The top ten finalists in the competition will also receive gift cards from Office Depot ranging from $1,000 - $5,000.
