Montgomery schools launch 'Go Green' campaign - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

From the Montgomery Public Schools Office of Public Information:

On Wednesday Montgomery Public Schools kicked off its Go Green Campaign by announcing the launch of a new recycling program and impressive energy savings.

During the event held at Dozier Elementary, Superintendent Barbara Thompson announced that the district has reached the $4.3 million mark in energy savings and that MPS will partner with the Montgomery Clean City Commission to promote recycling at each of the district's schools.

"For the past several years, our energy education program has been an effective tool in helping us reduce our energy consumption," said Thompson. "That has played a big factor in the $4 million in savings we've seen. I'm also pleased to announce our partnership with the Montgomery Clean City Commission to implement a recycling program. This is the first time we have ever had a coordinated, district-wide effort to promote recycling among schools and departments. Feedback so far has been positive, and we're expecting great results."

The Go Green Campaign will focus on recycling and energy conservation through behavior modification.

The Montgomery Clean City Commission provided recycle bins and training on how to use them for custodians at each school. One week each month, the bags will be collected and delivered to a local recycling center, which will weigh the contents. Each quarter, high performing schools and custodians will be recognized with an MPS Green Award.

Go Green will also support the district's Energy Education Program which, as of December 2012, has reduced the district's energy costs by $4.3 million. The program initially launched in July 2010 and since then, 25 MPS schools have met the criteria to be recognized as Energy Stars by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

"We are doing very well with our energy program and hope to reach the $5 million mark by this summer," said MPS Energy Specialist Ken Wright. "MPS Maintenance Department, teachers, students, school staff and custodians have all worked together to conserve energy by turning off lights and powering down computers and office equipment when not in use. Thermostats in many schools are now centrally controlled and several buildings have received new energy efficient windows or lighting retrofits. All these things have helped reduce our costs."

Thompson said she is optimistic about the Go Green Campaign and hopes that it will continue to grow.

"The Go Green Campaign is a great way to encourage administrators to think of new and better ways to conserve resources, while at the same time, teach students valuable lessons about protecting the environment as they get hands-on experience recycling right in their school," Thompson said. "By reusing and recycling materials and reducing our energy cost, we're not only saving money, we have a positive impact on the environment."