Energy at school
- Walk, ride or catch public transport to get to school
- Turn off lights, heating and cooling at recess and lunch when you are not using them.
- Use energy efficient light sources such as fluorescent lights.
- Keep heaters and air conditioners set at the right temperature to avoid over heating or cooling. Between 18-21°C is right in winter and 25°C in summer.
- Make sure that photocopiers, computers and printers are switched off at night and on weekends.
- Minimise the amount of hot water you use by fixing any leaking hot water taps, and installing aerators.
- Kettles and instant water boilers are more efficient than large urns.
Waste at school
- Drink tap water - large amounts of energy goes into extracting or making, packaging and transporting bottled water and soft drinks. Buy a reusable water bottle or flask, and get a home water filter if you're worried about water quality.
- Encourage recycling in the classroom and in the playground to reduce rubbish
- Use a reusable lunchbox or container for your food to reduce the need for plastic wrappings
- Hold a school rummage sale and swap and sell used items like clothes, toys and books.
- Ask your teacher to print double sided.
- Start up a worm farm or a compost heap. These are great ways to get even the youngest children involved in the environment, while minimising waste at the same time.
- Reuse old crayons and pencils instead of buying new every year.
Water at school
- Don’t leave the tap running when washing your hands. Install timed taps in bathrooms.
- Always turn taps off tightly when you finish using them.
- Install water tanks for use in gardens.
- Wash paint brushes in a bucket or ice cream container.
- Nominate water monitors to check for leaking and running taps.
- Mulching gardens to retain moisture in the soil and reduce evaporation.
- Water plants at their base, where they need it most.
The Power of 1
1 Degree is a great place to start.
Tips & Tools
There are hundreds of ways to save energy. We’ve provided a start.
The Garage Sale Trail
Australia’s largest community recycling initiative.