Environmentally Friendly Schools

Environmentally Friendly Schools Today’s society is becoming increasing aware of the environmental problems occurring across the globe. People claim that they are taking action, but it is sometimes hard to tell if they really are. Others just complain about the rising gasoline prices and the strange weather. Many people want to see results now, but they do not understand that starting locally, especially in their own homes, schools, or work areas, is the key to reducing many of the world’s environmental problems. One school taking steps to become environmentally friendly will lead to another school and another school taking those same steps. The problem is that not many people realize how easy it is to begin environmental programs at school,…show more content…
Elementary school students are often given a supplies list at the beginning of the school year, stating what they are required to have in class. This list often contains items such as a backpack, glue, crayons, pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, markers, erasers, and so on. Middle and high school students often have the same list, give or take a few materials. Many of these items are made from resources that harm the environment. Most crayons, for example, are made with petroleum. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource. A safe alternative to petroleum crayons is crayons made of beeswax. Materials like glues and paints can contain chemicals and other toxins that are not safe to breathe on a regular basis. Another option could be to purchase paints and glues that are non-toxic. Backpacks made of organic cotton, hemp, or recycled rubber is preferred to backpacks made of synthetic materials…show more content…
One of the most important issues is reducing the waste the world produces and beginning to recycle. Education is one of the most important factors in dealing with the environment correctly. As soon as these issues are dealt with and resolved, bigger issues such as global warming will begin to resolve on their own.

Works Cited
Chait, Jennifer. "Weekly Green Audit: School Waste Reduction." Tree Hugging Family. 19 Feb 2008. 29 Apr 2008 <http://www.treehuggingfamily.com/weekly-green-audit-school-waste-reduction/>.
Collins, Chuck. "Success Story: Lake Washington School District." King County. 24 Apr 2008. Solid Waste Division. 29 Apr 2008 <http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/greenschools/lake-WA-school-district.asp>.
"Green Apple School Supplies." Red Apple School Supply. 2006. 8 May 2008 <http://www.redapplesupply.com/sitepages/index.asp?section=2&page=1>.
Powell, Robert Andrew. "Learn." The New York Times. 20 Apr 2008. 06 May 2008 <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/magazine/20Learn-btext.html?_r=1&oref=slogin>.
Risen, Clay. "Act." The New York Times. 20 Apr 2008. 8 May 2008 <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/magazine/20Act-t.html?pagewanted=3>.
"Start a School Recycling Program." St. Charles County. Division of Environmental Services. 8 May 2008