Washoe Country School District
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Green Initiatives
The Washoe County School District is committed to celebrating our planet in educational, innovative and cost-saving ways. As a reflection of this commitment, the district implemented two pioneering green initiatives in 2010, both of which have resulted in enhanced education and tremendous cost savings.
Solar Power
- For more information about how solar power is helping to power 23 local schools, click here.
- Solar panels are expected to save the district about $200,000 each year thanks to rebates through NV Energy's Solar Generations program.
Single-Stream Recycling
The more students and staff recycle, the more money the WCSD saves, or…
The less wasted, the more saved!
- To view a PowerPoint presentation detailing WCSD recycling basics, click here.
- For a list of acceptable and unacceptable items to recycle in your new blue bins, click here.
- To see the letter sent to staff and educators about the new initiative, click here.
- For ways to enhance classroom curriculum with links to "Green" classroom resources, click here.
FAQs:
Q: Given today’s budget climate, how is the Washoe County School District embarking on a new recycling initiative?
A: The program is completely free to the Washoe County School District – and in fact, it actually will result in significant cost savings due to a reduction in trash haul, estimated at about $200,000 per year. This is a pilot program that Waste Management is launching in order to bring awareness to the concept of a “single-stream” recycling process. Waste Management has donated all materials and will be providing service free of charge to the WCSD.
Q: What Washoe County School District facilities are participating in the program?
A: All WCSD schools and support sites are participating.
Q: What will the cost savings help fund?
A: Trash hauling fees impact the general fund, which is the pot of resources devoted to the day-to-day operational essentials like employee salaries, school books and other teaching resources. So less trash haul means more money saved in the general fund, which means more money available for these important resources.
Q: Why does the truck that picks up recycling look exactly like our normal trash truck?
A: Waste Management has devoted two trucks to this pilot program, and these do appear to be regular trash trucks. However, they are designated vehicles that do not take materials to the landfill, but instead they transfer the materials directly to the recycling facility in Lodi, California. Waste Management is working on signage that will help distinguish these trucks from the rest of its fleet.
Q: I have questions about the program. Whom can I contact?
A: The recycling program is being administered through Facilities Management. Please contact Housekeeping Operations Supervisor at 851-5696 if you have questions.
Thank you for helping to make this exciting green program a success!
