City And Phila. School District Team Up To Make Schools Greener
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The city and the school district have launched a plan to make Philadelphia schools greener.
It's a five-year effort to reduce the district's environmental footprint, while encouraging students to think about ways they impact the environment every day.
District chief operating officer Fran Burns says the goals include recycling at every school and tracking energy usage.
"We do recycle at every school, but I wouldn't call it extensive. And so that's why we're talking about it in the way that we are."
The district has recycling programs in 42 of its 218 schools.
Mayor Kenney says even simple practices, such as turning off the lights in unused rooms, can make a difference.
"Young people will learn good habits on sustainability and energy and nutrition and health in school. It's where they spend the bulk of their time. And if we're not talking about those things, it's never going to get to them."
The district will provide an annual report card on its progress, starting in June 2017.