Environmental Council Meeting--May 10, 2012
1. Expand Recycling
- Millbrook did well in the Green Cup Recycling Challenge, finishing in the top level of Recycling Champions with 5 other school that scored 90% or better. We tied for 5th place. We gained 10 points by submitting an overview of our waste reduction policies and program. Abbott and Prum got 1st and 2nd place in the inter-dorm competition.
- Textile/Fiber recycling: We will share the Outreach used clothing collection bins to collect clothing that can’t be donated and reused as well as towels and sheets, etc. See wearablecollections.com for details.
2. Improve Energy and Resource Conservation
- Mrs. & Mr. Meigs visited Berkshire School to find out more about their 2 MW solar field and how it is funded. They also gained useful information about how Berkshire is planning to become carbon neutral.
- The newly-formed Carbon Neutrality Committee will be meeting with a solar provider, EarthKind, to explore a similar large solar project for Millbrook.
3. Promote Green Building design on campus in new buildings and renovations
- The new Student Center will be heated and cooled using a geothermal heat pump system and will go for gold LEED certification.
4. Raise Awareness of environmental impacts of food in Dining Hall
- We are investigating ways to improve food composting. We think that the clear, compostable drinking cups (marked with #7) should be recycled because they are not breaking down well in the outdoor composting set up. Mr. Meigs will contact McEnroe’s Organic Farm to see if they can pick up our composting. McEnroes requires certain compostables to be used.
- Student members of the Food Group will be Reagan Brown, Laurel Stine and Archer Biggs-Chiropolos. We shared ideas on how to improve food options, especially at supper. There was concern that there were too many starches at supper in particular and that more variety in menu and food planning would help. Perhaps the food budget needs to be increased. Mr. Lewis expressed concern that Meatless Monday was getting more active criticism because there are fewer good meatless choices on Monday.
5. Educating for Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability
- Earth Day of Service was very successful. On campus projects included roadside cleanup, zoo projects, garlic mustard removal, wetland buffer zone staking, nature trail cleanup, garden prep at the community garden, wood splitting, and canopy walkway cleanup.
- Three students have joined the EC: Ashlyn Kang, Ambie Nguyen, & Rich Pietrafesa. They will join Reagan Brown, Laura Van Pelt-Mezzanotte, and Josh Webb.
- Lyuda Pope is leading an effort to plant a 50’ x75’ potato field in the field just north of the Community Garden. Mike Lawrence plowed the field, and Frank Billington repaired our tiller so that he could till the field. Mrs. Pope has purchased four varieties of seed potatoes and planting with the Green Team is about to begin. Our hope is to grow enough potatoes to feed the school next year.
- Mr. Jon Jarvis, the Director of the National Park Service, has been invited to be a Forum speaker for next year.
- Mrs. Meigs compiled a list of EC Recommendations for 2012-13. A few EC members responded with comments and suggestions. The EC Recommendations will be sent to Mr. Casertano and Mr. Connolly.
Thanks to all for a good year. Next EC Meeting is in September, 2012.
