Pollution Prevention (P2) Opportunities for Schools and Universities

Healthy Schools (EPA)
This web site provides one-stop access to programs and resources available to help prevent and resolve environmental issues in schools.

Indoor Air Quality
According to the CT Dept. of Public Health (DPH), poor indoor air quality in schools is a major public health issue both nationally and in Connecticut.

Food Service
Schools can reduce the environmental impact of serving food by buying local food, reducing food waste and composting.

Pesticides and Organic Land Care
Learn about the pesticide ban from the grounds of day care and grades 8 and lower. Find out how to transition to organic land care.

Green Cleaning
Learn about the law requiring green cleaning programs in schools. Find environmentally preferable cleaning products and how to clean and sanitize kitchen areas and equipment.

High Performance Schools
A high performance school is a facility that improves the learning environment while saving energy, resources, and money. (Source: EPA)

Labs and Chemical Management
Find out how to limit exposure, prevent accidents and dispose of lab and cleaning chemicals properly.

Recycling
All CT schools, colleges and universities are required by law to recycle.

Walking and Biking To School
Reduce traffic congestion, get healthy and improve air quality!

School Bus Anti-Idling
Diesel bus exhaust is harmful to human health and it also impacts the quality of the air we all breathe.

• CT Green Leaf Schools program was created to promote green and healthy schools for all. It is a great way to focus on sustainability in your school. All K12 schools in Connecticut are eligible to participate in this continuous improvement program. Participation can also lead to recognition in the state, as well as through the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Awards.
• The Green Guide for Universities is a new publication that you can download for free now. It was developed by the International Alliance of Research Universities’ (IARU) and the international think-tank Sustainia.
• CT Alliance for Campus Sustainability is a collaboration and list serve developed to share information on climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy, storm water and water management, land use, and other sustainability related issues.
• Energy Star resources for K-12 schools and EnergyStar for colleges and universities.

• Find out about Energy Efficiency Programs in K-12 Schools.
• The Alliance to Save Energy has Tips for Schools to Save Energy.
• In 2024, legislation was proposed in CT for Solar in Schools.

• DPH has put together resources for healthy environment in schools that addresses several topics.
• EPA has information on creating healthy indoor air environments.
• "Tools For Schools Make the Grade", P2 View, p. 3
• Arts and Crafts safety in schools
• Healthy Green Purchasing for Asthma Prevention guidebook

• The Farm-to-School Program is a state-wide program designed to use Connecticut Grown fresh fruits and vegetables in your school's meals and snacks.
• Get information to start a composting program at your school in School Composting, The Next Step in Recycling.

• Encourage students to bring a no waste lunch.

• Read Trayless Eating 101 at UCONN, (P2 View, Winter 09, p. 6.)

• A law banning pesticides (PA 09-56) on the grounds of schools (grades 8 and lower) and day care centers went into effect on July 1, 2010.

• Find out how you can help your school transition to organic land care on playing fields.

• Information on artificial turf fields.

• Wastebusters tackle myths about green cleaners in their newest video.
• CT State law (CGS 10-231g) requires school districts to have a green cleaning program in place by July 1, 2011. Cleaning products must meet nationally certified guidelines and be approved by the CT Department of Administrative Services (DAS). Read a summary of the green cleaning in schools law.
• The Going Green in the School Kitchen fact sheet from the CT Dept. of Public Health explains the difference between cleaning and sanitizing and provides a chart to guide staff.
• Learn more about CT's Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Policy.
• Find EPP products on State contracts.
• DPH has information on Green Cleaning in Child Care Centers.

• Find out about the CT Green Building Council's (CTGBC) High Performance School Initiative.
• The Green Schools Toolbox was developed to help improve the way existing schools are operated and maintained.

• Learn how schools can reduce chemicals and make labs safer (P2View Summer 2016, pg.2)
• Rehab the Lab has a list of acceptable, safer reagents for use in classrooms.
• The National Science Teachers Association has information on safe, chemical management for school labs.
• The School Chemical List on-line tool from the Local Hazardous Waste Management, Kings County, Washington assists teachers, educators, administrators or facility managers to evaluate the hazards of pure chemical compounds or chemical constituents.
• Information on management and disposal of lab chemicals in CT schools.
• CT DPH information on mercury and other environmental health topics

• EPA information on Chemical Management and School Chemical Cleanouts - tools to develop a chemical management program.

• Get more information about recycling in grades K-12 and colleges .
• Is your school already recycling? Go beyond the 3 R's.
• Campus Race to Zero Waste is a friendly competition for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction.

• CTDOT has information on Connecticut Safe Routes to Schools.
• Bring bike education to your school
• "Walking To School Is Cool", (P2 View, p. 1)

• Public Act No. 02-56, An Act Concerning the Idling of School Buses. This regulation gives ticketing authority to police who witness school buses idling for longer than 3 minutes.

• Anti-idling information for schools about bus idling.

• Wastebusters tackle myths about idling in a short video.