Despite the tough economy, schools across the nation are hard at work this summer on building and interior renovations as well as maintenance work, according to the Washington Post. Much of the work involves additions, rug and window replacement, and other traditional tuneups to school buildings. But educational institutions like Vansville Elementary in Beltsville, MD are spending big to make their buildings as green and eco-friendly as possible. This new school will open in the fall with equipment that saves energy and minimizes carbon emissions. It’s reminiscent of the Greensburg tornado victims seeking eventual LEED certification for their yet-to-be-built high school, only without the tragic circumstances to precede it.

The green movement in school construction demonstrates the growing sentiment among educators that if you’re going to build a new school, you may as well build it right and make it sustainable. But just because your school building wasn’t built green doesn’t mean you can’t make it green. Here are some quick tips:

• Maintain high air quality standards: Air quality often starts and ends with the kind of school furniture you buy. When you shop for school desks, classroom chairs and other new furniture, check for green certification labels which show that the furniture materials don’t emit harmful chemicals like formaldehyde into the air. Remember to look for third party certified products if possible.
• Minimize solid waste: One way to minimize waste is to get students and staff to recycle. Either buy a recycle bin or re-tool an old box or large container for the job. Also, encourage students to bring a lunch box or reusable lunch bag to school so they’re not throwing away a paper bag a day. And if you have the funds, buy recycled and green-certified furniture. Recycled school furniture helps close the loop of large items going straight to the landfill, and green-certified furniture and markerboards can help keep the air clean for everyone to breathe.
• Conserve Energy: Remember to switch off your computers, lights and other electronic equipment when you’re done with them. To save time and make the task easier, buy power strips so you can plug in a bunch of equipment and turn it all on and off with one switch. Also, curtains, blinds and shades can help you save energy in your classroom by keeping it insulated in the winter and blocking out temperature-raising light in the warmer months.

And that’s just a small sampling of what you can do to help the planet. With a new academic year just weeks away, the EPA has some good back-to-school green tips and links for you to peruse and explore. Look for more green tips on here as well in the weeks to come.

(Photo courtesy of FreePhotosBank)