Sustainability Policy

RATIONALE

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy aims to become a sustainable school by reducing our ecological footprint through adopting sustainable practises in our everyday lives. We will achieve this by integrating sustainability into all areas of the curriculum and instilling a sense of ownership and pride in improving the environment. We will aim to lead the community by demonstrating exemplary practices in waste management, water and energy usage, and develop the school grounds to promote biodiversity.

ENERGY

To control energy consumption so that we reduce our impact on the natural environment; avoid unnecessary costs associated with wasting energy; educate students, staff and whole community about the best practice for use of energy consuming equipment and services and to conduct an energy audit and maintain records of energy consumption.

Guidelines

• Reduce the use of energy consumption within the school.
• Use resources and equipment as efficiently as possible.
• Include students in the process of developing and maintaining an Energy Efficient school.
• Reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

Implementation and Curriculum Focus

• To promote a ‘switch off and save’ policy for electrical equipment, lighting, heating and cooling.
• Students to engage in units of work relating to energy.
• Students will investigate the best ways to conserve energy.

WASTE

To develop a ‘waste-wise’ ethic within the whole school community; to provide and maintain a healthy and aesthetically pleasing learning environment through the reduction of waste and litter; to practise waste wise principles of reduce, reuse and recycle; to reduce the cost of waste and litter management.

Guidelines

• Minimise rubbish and recycling our waste throughout the school, as much as possible, on a daily basis.
• Ensure that students take responsibility for disposing of food scraps, paper and rubbish in the appropriate manner.
• Promoting rubbish free lunches and reward those who participate regularly.
• Reducing and eventually eliminating the use of single-use plastics in the school

Implementation and Curriculum Focus

• To assign students to dispose of waste and recycled products daily in the appropriate manner.
• To assign students to monitor rubbish free lunches and each term award the class who has the most rubbish free lunches.
• For students to collect food waste daily and transfer it to the compost bin.
• For students to dispose of paper into recycling bins.
• Use recycled paper for printers and photocopiers
• Promote the reuse principle of paper in classrooms, staffroom and office.

BIODIVERSITY

To improve our outdoor natural environment, by planting native trees that are conducive to our environment; improve our vegetable garden by planting more plants and involving our school community in the development and maintenance of the garden; using natural materials that reduce the impact on the environment.

Guidelines

• To use a garden plan for the future development of our school grounds.
• To utilise our garden area to its full extent.
• To involve community members in maintenance of school grounds.
• For each class to have ownership in the upkeep of an area of school grounds.

Implementation and Curriculum Focus

• Consult local community organisations on ways to improve our garden (e.g. Where to plant, what to plant).
• Involve community members in planting and maintaining our gardens.
• Engage students and staff in the maintenance of our gardens.
• To grow and harvest a range of vegetables/herbs to be utilised in cooking and Food Tech classes.

WATER

To encourage the school community to reduce water usage; to appreciate water as a precious natural resource; educate the community on ways to reduce water usage indoors and outdoors; conduct a water audit and maintain records of water consumption.

Guidelines

• To reduce the water consumption within the school.
• To use resources and equipment as efficiently as possible.
• To involve students and staff in the planning of water conservation initiatives.
• Assign students to monitor water usage and report wastage.

Implementation and Curriculum Focus

• To promote a ‘water-wise turn off’ policy.
• Students to engage in units of work relating to water conservation.
• To assign students to monitor water usage and report wastage.
• Plant trees and plants that require minimal watering.

AIMS AND TARGETS

We aim to achieve the following goals and targets over the next three years:

• To increase the school community’s involvement in the vegetable garden.
• To reduce waste by 25%.
• To reduce water consumption by 20%.
• To reduce energy consumption by 25%.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

We will encourage community participation in environmental projects undertaken, as well as invite parents with expertise to help maintain and improve our school environment. We will also promote sustainable living through educating the school community through our students.

RESPONSIBILITY/ COMMUNICATION

All people within our school will be informed and responsible for implementing these programs. The designated Sustainability Co-ordinator will in conjunction with the Principal will be responsible for keeping records and reporting on the outcomes and progress of each program to the whole school community, through school newsletters and the annual report. The parties involved will provide reports to staff and School Council outlining the goals, aims, costing, savings and other relevant issues. Each of the programs will be subject to annual review by school staff, student and School Council.

ACTION PLAN

Our sustainable three year plan outlines the four resource modules we will undertake over the next four years; these are ‘Biodiversity’, ‘Waste’, ‘Water’ and ‘Energy’.

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE REPORTING

When the Sustainability Coordinator reports to the School Council once a term, they will provide feedback on sustainability practices within the school community. They will report on the triple bottom line; that is, the social, economic and environment impact of school sustainability practices. Darwen Aldridge Community Academy Green Procurement Policy

RATIONALE

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is committed to sustainable practices within its community. It will endeavour to purchase ‘green products’ in order to reduce its environmental impact.

PURPOSE

At Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, we are dedicated to reducing our ecological footprint and fostering a culture of sustainability. Our goal is to inspire and educate students to make environmentally friendly choices that will benefit our planet for generations to come.

GUIDELINES

Where possible, Darwen Aldridge Community Academy will:

• Purchase 100% recycled paper for printers and photocopiers.
• Set printers to double sided print as default.
• Limit the amount of advertising materials sent home to students.
• Purchase equipment made from recycled materials and furniture when they need to be replaced.
• Source recycled products for book orders.
• Source resources and products from local and ethical businesses