Green Schools

Specific Judging Considerations

• To recognize schools that encourage pollution prevention projects on their campuses while increasing the environmental awareness of students and staff; awarded to 1 k-12 school and 1 institution of higher education
• Effectiveness in addressing issues relating to air quality; energy, land, or water conservation; hazardous materials management; or solid waste reduction
• Participation by the student body, staff, faculty, and community

2007 Winner of Green Schools

Green Schools -- K-12

Winner – West Carroll Elementary “Illuminates” Solid Waste Reduction and Energy Conservation (Carroll County)
West Carroll Elementary School leads the community to improve its environment. The grade 3-6 school taught Trezevant and the surrounding communities to create a positive relationship between the community and the environment. Sixth-grade teacher Mollie Vann and her students focused on recycling, energy conservation, wildlife preservation, and community environmental education. The Energy Team separated cardboard and paper from other waste to recycle 11 tons of paper. The Change a Light-Change the World campaign received pledges from 465 homes to replace and change over 2,000 incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs. The Building Buddies program recycled 508 pounds of aluminum, 650 pounds of plastic, 1,964 ink jet printer cartridges and 600 pounds of electronics. The Ring Leader program recycled plastic drink can rings to prevent wildlife loss. And “Give the Earth a Gift: Recycle” was the message shared with the community in the Christmas parade where trash was recycled to build a float. The school also sponsored a Free for All swap day that generated $56 that was donated to help pay electric bills for the needy.

Green Schools -- Higher Education

Winner – Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) WaterWorks! (Rutherford County)
WaterWorks! is a public education and outreach program of the MTSU Center for Environmental Education designed to promote clean water in Tennessee through a number of initiatives, including a series of public service announcements, advocating water quality through responsible action and print media focusing on homeowner, builder/developer, and agriculture practices that affect water quality. WaterWorks! provides educational materials and information to storm water municipalities, watershed organizations and other citizen groups and the general public to raise awareness and reinforce the message of individual responsibility for water quality in Tennessee.