Recycling is a way of life at San Diego Unified... and saves taxpayers money

Did you know the majority of waste generated in classrooms and even lunch courts is recyclable or can be turned into compost, saving taxpayers $34,000 a month? As the nation celebrates America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, San Diego Unified students are taking the lead in recycling by participating in campus environmental clubs, Green Teams, Planet Protectors clubs, student body recycling efforts, and more.


These recycling ambassadors encourage students and staff at their school to recycle paper, cardboard, beverage containers, rigid plastics, metal, and more. All recyclables can be mixed together in the recycling bins on campus.

Some schools have even set a goal to create “Zero Waste” and are composting lunch and cafeteria scraps in their school garden! Through these efforts, the district is able to divert more than 240 tons of material per month from landfill disposal when school is in session. That saves our district and taxpayers more than $34,000 per month in disposal costs, not to mention saving valuable resources.

When students and staff recycle and compost at school and at home, it means that industry doesn’t have to chop down, extract or mine to collect more raw materials for making the things we use every day.
San Diego Unified doesn’t stop there when it comes to waste diversion. In addition to the mixed recycling program available at schools and district offices, programs are in place for diverting scrap metal, wood waste, pallets, landscape waste, construction and demolition debris, electronics, and shredded documents. District batteries and fluorescent lamps (universal waste) are also recycled and disposed of properly.

For more information about America Recycles Day, check out www.americarecyclesday.org. For information and resources for recycling at your school, please visit the district’s recycling website at www.sandi.net/energy or contact Janet Whited, recycling specialist, auxiliary services, at 858-637-6268 or jwhited@sandi.net.

Ongoing skill training keeps operations efficient

Responsible for maintaining landscaping and irrigation systems at more than 180 locations is a big job for any team, and San Diego Unified's staff holds regular training sessions to keep up on the latest techniques, including a recent session conducted by material and equipment suppliers.

Landscape technicians learned by doing with representatives of Eagle Industries, Hunter Irrigation, Rain Bird Irrigation and Hydroscape, bringing them up to date on the latest technical advances in irrigation systems, valves, PVC fittings, solvents and gluing techniques.

"This is the kind of skill set training in the Landscape Operations world that is most comparable to that provided to teachers and principals to keep them up to date in the latest instructional methodologies," said Drew Rowlands, Executive Director, Auxiliary Services. "The Landscape Department strives to assure the most efficient approaches are applied to reduce water waste, maximize resource utilization, and reduce environmental impacts.

Gluing PVC is actually a chemical welding process what melts the PVC pieces together to form a solid bond. General plan reading, operation and troubleshooting are a part of the curriculum for Irrigation Training Modules provided by the vendor instructors. The Oct. 4 session included staff from throughout the district.


"Resolving common challenges as we move away from old technology and equipment in an effort to improve the delivery system for irrigation is the foundational goal," said Jonel Smith, Landscape Services Supervisor, Scripps Mesa Zone.

For more information, contact Smith at jsmith7@sandi.net.

Irrigation management system upgrades will save district thousands of dollars

Ethernet server device

Installation of new Ethernet communication converters to help manage the district’s irrigation systems will save the district thousands of dollars in the coming years.

Using these new Ethernet devices, which were installed last year at district facilities, will allow greater efficiency and more cost effective remote monitoring of irrigation systems.

Keith Hetzler and Tom Groot, irrigation control specialists, and the Telecommunications Department coordinated efforts to successfully support the installation of Ethernet communication converters in place of old phone lines and modems within the district’s existing Central Irrigation Management Control System. This system monitors and controls irrigation systems using weather, vegetation type, and other data to help the District conserve water usage.

Elimination of phone lines and use of advance technology will result in an annual savings of $22,000 for the district. This changeover in hardware will realize an immediate payback in its first year of operation.

For additional information, contact Jim Hallauer, Planned Projects Supervisor, Scripps Mesa Zone at jhallauer@sandi.net or 858-627-7116. To learn more about the district’s Irrigation Management System, visit http://www.sandi.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=858 

New solar systems put a charge into more than 25 District schools

Since 1994, San Diego Unified has pursued innovative projects to save energy, reduce utility costs, and protect the environment while promoting sustainability in the district. In 2010, the Board of Education approved two contracts with companies to purchase solar power that would be produced by utilizing glass solar panels at district sites. As a result, roof-top photovoltaic (solar) systems were installed at 25 school sites by Main Street Power, and carport systems were installed at five school sites by AMSolar. An additional six roof-top systems/sites are currently under construction by Main Street Power. Recently, all the systems were turned on; and, they are all producing sustainable solar power.

“In one day, these systems generate enough electricity to power the average house for a year,” according to Tom Wright, the district’s safety, training, personnel and environmental compliance manager.

The district continues to seek opportunities for sustainable energy. In fact, one of the areas of focus for the new Proposition Z bond program is energy efficiency and sustainability. During the bond program, the district will look for opportunities to increase solar panels and energy cells, recycle water for irrigation, install high-efficiency lighting, insulation and dual-pane windows; and replace inefficient mechanical systems.

For more information on the recently installed solar systems, please contact Tom Wright at 619-260-5487 or twright@sandi.net. For more information on the Proposition Z program, call 858-637-3607 or e-mail SDUSDFacilitiesInfo@sandi.net.

$120,000 State Grant Goes To Recycling Programs

Student "green teams" that make sure campuses recycle efficiently will be receiving some help, thanks to a $120,000 grant from the State of California.

CalRecycle, the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, awarded the grant that will allow district staff to help expand the programs to all campuses.

School green teams and others encourage students and staff members to recycle as much on their campus as possible. The funds will provide schools with source-separated beverage containers and co-mingling of paper products, bottles and cans.

Not only does the student work help save the environment, it helps put more money in the classroom. By the terms of the district's waste hauling contract, recycling is provided for free, while schools are charged by the dumpster for waste hauling. The more recycling, the fewer dumpsters that need to be filled.

In other news, the Recycling Program has launched "Get Your Green On!", an online blog with recycling tips, student scholarship and involvement opportunities, and other great news. Check it out at http://www.sandi.net/energy

For more information,contact Janet Whited, Recycling Specialist, at (858) 637-6268.

Mira Mesa Students, District Physical Plant Operations Partner On T-Shirt Design

Mira Mesa High graphics students Ronald Bonslater, left,  Mariela Catalan, Danielle Le, Ashley Rindfleisch.  Not pictured: Marlene Alspaugh who did the computer/design work.

Creative students and staff are joining forces in a fundraiser to raise money for the district's Physical Plant Operations and Facilities Planning and Construction departments' employee emergency fund.

New "Planner, Estimator, Inspector" t-shirts are rolling off the presses with a design created by the Computerized Graphic Arts program at Mira Mesa High School. The slogan was created by employee Richard Kite.

The students in the College, Career and Technical Education program run a production facility, working in small teams to design, print, sort, pack and even ship their creations. They're graded on the ability to follow projects from concept to creation. Clients include the school administration, clubs and organizations, and other sources, such as the Physical Plant, as well as outside companies.

"The class stays very busy, and is often booked 6-8 weeks in advance," said the class's teacher, Art Spurlock.

The Physical Plant Operations and Facilities Planning departments' emergency fund assists colleagues and their families with costs such as insurance needs and living expenses when families go through challenging times.

If you would like more information on the program, or to get a printing quote, please contact Spurlock at aspurlock@sandi.net.

Physical Plant Staff Connects with Students

Every month, Physical Plant Operations (PPO) staff members have the opportunity to see their most important customers – our students – by holding mandatory monthly safety meetings at various schools.
Madison High School recently hosted the group for an Autoimmune Safety meeting that was held in the high school’s new “Autotorium,” a beautiful eco-friendly building connected to the new Auto Shop.

In addition to learning about autoimmune disease safety, PPO staff met with Madison students who are enrolled in the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification program, part of the College Career and Technical Education (CCTE) Program.

Mike Reynolds from CCTE discussed the goals of CCTE and various programs at Madison and around the district. PPO employees were impressed with how Madison incorporated green building components into their new facility, including a solar roof, high efficiency hand dryers, orientation to provide shading year round in the courtyard area, utilization of natural ventilation instead of air conditioning, polished concrete which is easy to clean and maintain, energy efficient transformers, and air compressors that are rotary instead of piston, which make them more quiet and energy efficient.

For more information, please contact Maria Moore-Flagg at (858) 573-5719.

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