A Link to My "Day to Day Green" Blog

[Brad Hunter]

Hi everyone,

As I am in charge of all things environmental for the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, I found that one of the best ways to communicate was with a blog. Since I already host and maintain that system, I feel that a link from here will be better for me as I try to update that system with interesting news and information every day. I also maintain a forum within that blog specifically for programs and mechanisms to aid the school district with environmentally beneficial changes.

I also have a renewable energy patent pending if you are interested in it the link is also listed:


http://www.spinpower.org <-- My wind technology site. There has not been news in quite a while and we are waiting for the manufacturer to finish a few things related to framing and shipping.

http://www.spinpower.org/mdusd <-- My website for the school district
http://www.spinpower.org/mdusd/blog <-- My blog for the school district (includes RSS feed)
http://www.spinpower.org/mdusd/blog/forum <-- Directly to my forum of mechanisms and programs (includes RSS feed)



If you know someone who is charged with "greening" where they work, please refer them to my forum so that we can share insight. This is still a very new field and a lot of "greenwashing" has to be sifted to get to the good stuff.

- Brad

[Sheila Hill]

Brad, just finished checking out your blog - you have some really great projects going! Because I believe the conservation of fresh water is one of our most important actions, I am especially excited to read about the urinals saving millions of gallons of water annually at just one campus! Obviously that will save money too so hopefully this project will expand. The paperless project proposal also seems like an effective strategy to save some green by going green! Keep up the good work!

[Sheila Hill]

When the transition was made, a few schools chose to save money by instead using a cheaper cardboard box type tray (including the Sequoia schools, who combined use nearly 10,000 a month). Probably most of the 50+ campuses went back to styrofoam this month. A parent contacted me last week because they knew I was involved in that effort. The decision will be made shortly by the food services manager for the upcoming school year.

[Rob McKie]

I've been at my son's school PHMS and they seem to still be using some kind of paper board box for lunches. Maybe it's while supplies last.

[Sheila Hill]

I found out this week that MDUSD has reverted back to using one million+ stryofoam trays a year. I was so happy when they decided in 2007 (despite the cost increase) to use an environmentally-friendly product instead - after many parents, students and teachers pleaded for the change. Hopefully the biodegradable trays will be back for the 2010/11 school year.

[Sheila Hill]

Since middle and high school students have to buy gym clothes, it would be great if they also had to purchase a reusable water bottle (and bring it on gym days). Hopefully it would encourage more of them to drink water too - many of them run a mile and then don't drink.

[Rob McKie]

Have you focused at all on the bottled water issue? I don't think there is a good reason for MDUSD to advocate bottled water use. Maybe there is a way to create incentives for kids to carry their own re-usable bottles.

[Sheila Hill]

Brad, welcome! It's been a while since we've chatted. What's new and exciting in MDUSD for 2010? SCOCO is excited to recognize schools and school districts for their efforts so please keep us posted!
Sheila

[Tina King Neuhausel]

Hi Brad, it's great to have you on the Network! We're planning to coordinate a schools network next year so we should talk about that. I'm looking forward to reading your blog and am glad you've connected here. I hope you'll consider posting discussions on our forum! Tina