The good news is that going green is a good PR thing and often saves money. This makes for an easier time instituting things.

Recycling is probably the quickest and easiest way to start getting green. This means that you will need a collection area(s) and to arrange for pick-up. Item you might consider are mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles. Again, speak to your principle to see if the idea is at all possible, the concerns they have, the concerns they will have to address with thier boss. You may have to start out small in one area, only with school staff, with only one type of recyclable, or in some other scaled down version. It is better to do well with what you do than to bust. If you do well, it is possible to expand. If you bust, it make take all the more to get someone to take the risk ever again.

Getting one’s hands dirty and doing a project that you can see the difference in/with is often a good way to gather ground level support and interest. You might also see if you can plant a tree or some self maintaining vegetation on the school grounds. The tree would be a good help in terms of green and symbolic of "green". Some of the other types of vegetation may not be as helpful in reducing green house gasses. But, having it self-maintaining is right in line with green living. Look for vegetation that is "self-mounding", "naturalizing", and maybe even "native". Of course, interspursing self-maintaining native vegetation among the other ornamentals is considered "the green thing" to do in the gardening world. This would probaly require not only your principle’s permission but, also permission from someone in the district’s office. Towards picking some possibilities, see if you have a gardening teacher, you can connect to your county’s land grant school extention office, or someone from your county’s Master Gardener program. Just going through the process to plant a tree or other vegetation will give you a learning experience you can keep with you the rest of your life; it wouldn’t look too bad on a college application either.

Aside from gathering support from your principle, things will go all the better and further if you had fellow student support. You can do this in a relatively informal way through word of mouth. Or, you may decide to take it a little formal as an official ASB organization; this doesn’t mean you get any funding, just that you get formal recognition. You might also see if you can get some teacher support. And, you may even get some parental support if you have a PTA or booster club. If you remain an informal group of one, or more, you might also see if you can get support from existing ASB organizations such as Key Club, etc… Heck, you may even get limited support from one of the teams, at least for the season.
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In theory solar panels are designed to last past 25 years, probably closer around 60 years. As long as it’s up, it will convert electricity. If it doesn’t for some reason you can call up the company to have it checked out. When you install a panel, you will be able to check your production live online.

Solar is a great investment, but it’s not for every household. It really depends on how much electricity you can offset to save you money on your bill. If you aren’t saving enough, it won’t be worth the investment. Of course going green is great, but I think people are more interested in saving money.

Take a look at our website and give us a call if you are interested in getting a free quote. That is of course, if you live in California.

http://www.mslsolar.com
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I work for a solar integrator located in los angeles, ca. For more information go to http://www.mslsolar.com

Pack a garbageless lunch, take a reusable container instead.

Join the environmental club if there is one or start your own.

Make environmental studies part of every subject taught in your school.

Brainstorm environmental projects with other students & teachers.

Request a non-toxic environment in your school. Examine your school’s cleaning supplies, lawn care, supplies & paint. Ask your environmental group to come up with a list of environmental guidelines for the school.

Don’t leave taps running while you are not using them.

Turn lights on only when needed & turn them off when you’re done to save energy.

Use recycled paper instead of plastic products.

Take online courses

Save leftover food instead of throwing it away.

Buy products that use the least packaging.

Give away clothing when you’re done with it instead of throwing it away.

Use the public library for books & magazines or give yours when you’re finished with them.

Take a backpack with you when you go shopping to avoid plastic bags.

Plant a tree. Trees can absorb & store huge amounts of carbon dioxide & generate oxygen while purifying the air we breathe. Start the seedling in a pot indoors & plant it outside in spring. Seedlings need a care the first two years, including water, vertical support & mulch, so you will be able to see the tree grow & take its place in the cycle of nature as you care for it.

If you’d like help in making your self sufficient steps, feel free to contact me directly. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online & on-site workshops, seminars & internships to help others “help the environment”.

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online & on-site workshops, seminars & internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin
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There are some other considerations too, such as where you live, but there is more to it than just hours of sunlight. We do live in Michigan, and it turns out our particular corner of the state is a great place for solar. One thing not mentioned commonly is solar panels are temperature sensative, that is they produce more power when they are cold than warm. For this reason manufacturers warn you to upgrade wiring if you live in areas that experience frost so your system can accomodate the panels putting out more power than they are rated for, a nice bonus for us in the northwoods. Another bonus for solar is it is easily expandable. So you can put in a small system today, but with larger than required wiring and inverter, then add more panels later to spread out the cost. My suggestion is you do some reading and ask some people questions about what you are planning to do. You might not decide to get involved at all, and that’s fine, but at least you will be well informed. Take care, Rudydoo
References :
Home Power Magazine
Backwoods Home Magazine
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
American Wind Energy Association

If you have a solar system with battery backup, the batteries do have less than a 10 year lifespan. But 80% of solar installations are straight to the electric grid with no batteries.

If you are looking for a good return on investment, look into solar water heating. It’s a much bigger bang for the buck for saving energy. Let the sun heat the water instead of the dirty fuels.
References :
AltE Store - http://www.altestore.com/store/

more than likely, your school can take a chunk of it’s budget to afford the facilities you need. even if they don’t bite right away, they might reward your efforts and planning anyway. do anything you cxan, you know?
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I got my apt. complex to do the same thing.

But they tend to last longer than 10 years, it all depends on the weather conditions where you are.
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