Blog
Fulbright Japan Visit to Catlin Gabel
On November 3 Catlin Gabel welcomed a group of about 45 Japanese and American K-12 teachers, university professors, and dignitaries to our campus. They were interested in learning about our efforts toward becoming more sustainable. They had been meeting in Portland for several days and were interested in curriculum in various schools that focuses on sustainability. The tour began with a delicious, organic, locally grown lunch created by our own Hen Truong. At the stop at the Beginning School, Sue Henry described the thinking, learning, planning, and model-building that went into designing Little Eagle Creek, which harvests rain water from our roof. Kindergartners sang our guests a welcome song and another about the water cycle. Jordan Heintz, 5th grade teacher, presented a video about the class’s sustainability curriculum, and the Upper school environmental class did an impressive job of talking about what they are learning. Last, our guests visited the Middle School garden project, which grows food for our kitchen. Eric Shawn, our facilities director, who has been instrumental in the school’s progress toward a greener future, organized the successful half-day tour for our guests. Congratulations, Eric!
DEQ Profiles Catlin Gabel School
Oregon DEQ profiles Catlin Gabel School on the DEQ web site. The school employee commute options plan and four bus routes have reduced the number of vehicles coming to campus by more than 15,000 vehicles.
Energy Use 2008/2009
Electricity
Catlin Gabel used less electricity in 2008/2009, the lowest amount in ten years. Although the utility rate increased 3.45%, consumption and costs for 2008/2009 were less than in 2007/2008:
- The school used 9.46% fewer kilowatt hours. Kilowatt hours per square foot dropped 7% below the previous lowest benchmark.
- The school spent $7,469 less, a savings of 6.33%.
- The school avoided costs of $11,708 by reducing consumption.
Natural Gas
Catlin Gabel School used less natural gas in 2008/2009. Although the utility rate increased 13%, consumption and costs for 2008/2009 were less than in 2007/2008:
- The school used 20% fewer therms of natural gas. Therms per square foot dropped 3% below the previous lowest benchmark.
- The school spent $5,823 less, a savings of 10%.
- The school avoided costs of $6,281 by reducing consumption.
Zero Waste: 2008/2009 Report
Our goal is zero waste by 2012.
- Over the past ten years, Catlin Gabel School reduced landfill waste 54% from a peak of 71 tons in 2001/2002 to 32 tons in 2008/2009.
- Landfill rates and hauling fees increased 33.5% during the same period.
Year One: 2007/2008: 2nd lowest amount in ten years
- In 2007/2008 Catlin Gabel School focused on removing recyclables from the landfill waste stream.
- Landfill dropped from 65.22 tons to 46.35 tons, 2.65 tons below the first year goal.
- The school spent 18% less than in 2006/2007, a savings of $1,752 and avoided $3,081 in costs related to the year's 14% rate increase.
Year Two: 2008/2009: lowest amount in ten years
- In 2008/2009 Catlin Gabel School focused on removing food from the landfill waste stream.
- The Grounds staff designed and constructed a hot compost system for the campus. Post-consumer cafeteria food waste is composted using this process. Kitchen trimmings are fed to goats and chickens. Lower School food waste is placed in worm farms or composted at the Lower School Garden.
- Landfill dropped from 46.35 tons to 32.49 tons, 0.51 tons below the second year goal. The school spent 33% less than in 2007/2008, a savings of $2,481.
Year Three: 2009/2010
- The focus for year three is on purchasing with end of use in mind.
- Identify sources that use less packaging and vendors whose packaging is 100% recyclable.
- Give preference to longer life cycles and the highest percentage of content that can be recycled at end of use.
Landfill Summary
Status & Goals
News
