Creating a Healthy School Environment Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)

Creating a Healthy School Environment

Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)

AASA Urban and Rural Healthy Schools Coalition

19 May 2010

The Next 60 Minutes

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•Overview of SC3 program

•Key elements of SC3 program

•Moving toward Action

•Sharing insights and ideas

•Putting it all together

SC3 Goals• Remove outdated, unknown and

unneeded chemicals from K-12 schools.

• Raise awareness of chemical issues in schools and promote sustainable solutions.

• Prevent future mismanagement through training, curriculum change, and long-term solutions.

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Imminent Riskif water level drops ½ inch spontaneously ignites

Potential Incidents

Unknown, Unintended Chemical ReactionsImminent RiskNitric Acid + Cyanide

Steps for Creating a Responsible Chemical Management Program

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It’s All About Teamwork!

• Administrators, teachers, community members, facilities personnel, industry partners

School BenefitsAre many!

Partner Benefits• Pride and satisfaction from improving

school health and safety;

• Enhanced image as community leader;

• Local and federal recognition;

• Organizational visibility.

Partnerships Produce Results!

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Remember:

• Every school is unique!

• Build on existing healthy school environments programs.

• Find the solutions that fit your needs.

Getting Started: Helpful Tools and Resources

• www.epa.gov/SC3– SC3 Video: Safe Chemical Management in

Your School– SC3 Workbook: Building Successful Programs

to Address Chemical Risks in Schools– Green Cleaning Fact Sheet– Building Successful Programs to Address

Chemicals in Schools: State Summaries– Success Stories – Comprehensive Partner Page

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For More Information

Kristina MesonUS EPA

Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery(703) 308-8848

[email protected]

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(1) What do you have in place now through your TfS program (or otherwise) that will allow you to take steps toward a responsible chemical management program in your school/school district?    

(2)  What do you still need and challenges you will face in designing and implementing an SC3 component into your TfS program?

     (3)  What steps can you take when you return

home to move toward incorporating SC3 activities into your TfS program?

The Power of Partnerships

Grandview School DistrictGrandview, MO

2009

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project

• Grandview C-4 School District in Grandview, MO– Middle School

• 576 students (2009)• 67% Free/Reduced Lunch

– High School• 1, 201 students (2009)• 57% Free/Reduced Lunch

• Project implemented under the President’s United We Serve (UWS) Summer Service Initiative

• Project focused on the SC3 Workbook’s 5 Steps to a Safer Schools through Responsible Chemical Management.

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Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project

The project satisfied three goals:

Encourage Volunteerism

Create a Healthier Learning Environment

Encourage New Partnerships

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Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project

• Encourage Volunteerism– The project team consisted of industry, higher education, trade

associations, student, teacher, and school administration volunteers.

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VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONAmerican Chemical Society (ACS) Consulted on inventory review, and cost effective

disposal options Ash Grove Cement Company (Ash Grove) Donated up to $20,000

Cadence Environmental Energy (Cadence) Donated their services

Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition (CKRC) Donated tree; provided marketing to members

EPA HQ (HQ) Planning and CoordinationEPA Region 7 (R7) Press coverage; video, posters

C-4 Central Office (C-4) PressGrandview High School Hosted event; planning and coordination

Grandview Middle School Co-hosted cleanoutStudents and Teachers Volunteered in their community and school; displayed

environmental science and art projects; assisted in event logistics.

Missouri Center for Safe Schools (MCSS) Inventory; future trainingMissouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Streamlined hazardous waste disposal process; future

assistanceTradebe Pollution Control Industries, Inc. (PCI) Donated lab-packing; removal, and proper disposal

Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project

• Create a Healthier Learning Environment

– Volunteers removed close to 500 pounds of chemicals from the middle and high school, including:

• Toxics• Flammables• Explosives• Caustics

(High hazard chemical ethyl ether was removed from one school)

– Schools committed to begin implementing sustainable practices in the classroom and throughout the district, including training teachers and staff

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Case Study: Grandview SC3 Project

• Encourage New Partnerships

– Two new SC3 partnerships resulted from the Grandview project:

• Ash Grove Cement Company• Cadence Environmental Energy

– The project’s success inspired several partners to encourage their other sites to get involved in their local schools

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