Nov 30 2008
The Green Education Foundation and IXG are launching Green Week at William Seach Elementary Schoolin Weymouth, MA.
The entire school community, including teachers, parents and town officials, has pledged to bring in waste-free snacks, drinks, and lunches during the week of Dec. 8-12, 2008. This effort will demonstrate how a school community can measurably address challenging global problems by adopting simple eco-friendly behaviors. In one week, the school plans to reduce the amount of classroom trash by 50%. Teachers will augment the waste-reduction program with environmental activities, projects, and exercises for class-based study and take-home assignments.
This hands-on program is a precursor to National Green Week, scheduled for Feb. 2-8, 2009. National Green Week will replicate the success of the William Seach School with over one million children and 2000 schools participating across the nation. The goal of National Green Week is to eliminate over 1000 tons of waste, the equivalent weight of 76 school busses.
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the amount of waste produced annually in the U.S. has tripled since 1960 to 256,000 tons per year," commented Weymouth Mayor Susan Kay. "The Town of Weymouth is committed to addressing this monumental issue by empowering our youth to become lifelong environmental stewards. The Town of Weymouth will support our students by encouraging all town employees and as many Weymouth citizens as possible to bring in waste-free lunches and snacks on December 10, 2008. It is critical for our children to understand that their efforts will make Weymouth a healthy place to live in the years to come."
Deborah St. Ives, principal of the William Seach Primary School commented, "The William Seach School is pleased to have been selected by the Green Education Foundation to participate in this exciting green educational opportunity. We'd also like to thank Covanta, a company that provides safe waste removal systems and clean energy solutions, for sponsoring the William Seach Green Week."
Through Covanta's generous support, Weymouth students will receive IXG Green Packs, the green tools that will ensure the success of this program. IXG Green Packs include: a National Green Week organic tee-shirt, a reusable water bottle, two snack containers, and a reusable shopping bag.
"By participating in William Seach Green Week, students will learn that simple decisions such as the selection of waste-free snacks and drinks can combat monumental environmental problems," says Victoria Waters, president and founder, Green Education Foundation."
"National Green Week is free. We encourage schools from across the nation to sign up for National Green Week at www.nationalgreenweek.com as soon as possible to take advantage of free environmental programs and activities leading up to the event," adds Waters.