SUSTAIN DCSD

The DCSD Sustainability and O&M Team is excited to kick off another great school year with you!

We’re here to support you in keeping your building running smoothly, efficiently, and sustainably. By taking a few simple steps, we can all help reduce energy use and waste across the district. Check out some quick tips below to get started!

Thinking about launching a sustainability initiative at your school? We’d love to help make it happen and get you the right tools for success.

Need recycling bins or other conservation supplies? Just reach out, we’ve got you covered.

We want to give a big shout-out to Mallory Schipper for her outstanding work improving environmental practices at Lone Tree Elementary. Mallory has led the commercial composting program with creativity, persistence, and hands-on support, helping students and staff problem-solve, learn what can be composted, and keep the system running smoothly. Her efforts have reduced waste, strengthened daily operations, and inspired environmental stewardship across the school.

Thanks to Mallory’s leadership, Lone Tree has reached a 60% diversion rate and reduced trash service by 18 yards each week. We’re proud of Lone Tree and all 18 schools proving that “FOOD SHOULD NEVER BE TRASH”!

DCSD spends nearly $7 million a year on electricity, that’s about $20,000 every single day, and the number keeps growing! You can help lower costs and reduce emissions by taking part in Lights, Learning, Action!

A few small actions make a big impact:

• Unplug or remove unnecessary appliances

• Pull down shades and use natural light

• Turn off lights when not needed (even in hallways!)

• Keep doors closed to maintain building temperature

• Report leaky faucets or running water

Comfort is always a priority — if your room feels too hot, too cold, or systems seem to run when not needed, submit a work order so we can help.

Curious how much energy your school uses? Email bachurch@dcsdk12.org for a custom report!

Together, we can save energy, save money, and create a more efficient DCSD!

If you want to track your electricity usage, click on your eGauge link for your school. Please note that not all schools have an eGauge. If you are interested in getting one installed. Please reach out to Beth Chuch bachurch@dcsdk12.org

Do you think your trash or recycling bins are being emptied more often than needed? Let us know! We can adjust your service days to better match your needs.

Here’s why it matters: the district spends nearly $600,000 on trash and recycling services each year. The more we recycle, the less trash service we need!

Help us save money, reduce waste, and make our schools more sustainable. Reach out if you think your bins could be improved!

1. Recycling saves energy! Recycling aluminum cans saves up to 95% of the energy needed to make new ones.

2. Glass can live forever. Glass can be recycled endlessly without losing quality, your bottles today could become bottles tomorrow!

3. Plastic bottles have a long journey. Many plastics take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill, but recycling gives them a second life.

4. Composting is food for the planet. Organic waste, like food scraps, can be turned into nutrient-rich soil instead of filling landfills and the compost can be used right here at DCSD!

5. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees. That’s enough to line a football field 10 feet high!

6. Recycling is a team effort. Every student, teacher, and staff member who recycles contributes to a cleaner, greener school.

7. Trash doesn’t disappear. Most landfill waste can stay for decades—or even centuries—so recycling helps keep the planet cleaner.

DCSD’s Alen air purifiers, purchased in 2021 with COVID-designated funds, have now reached the end of their district-supported lifecycle. These units have helped improve indoor air quality with HEPA filtration over the past five years, but the centralized supply of replacement filters is now depleted, and the district will no longer fund new ones, except for health rooms, where units will continue to be maintained due to higher health needs.

Schools now have three options for their remaining units:

1. Keep them and self-fund replacement filters,

2. Allow staff to take a unit home, or

3. Recycle unneeded units following district procedures.

All schools are asked to complete the Alen Air Purifier Google Form to report decisions and final unit counts. For questions, contact Zach Nannestad, Environmental Health Manager.

Waste Management is our hauler. Please make sure that you have "No Dumping" sticker on your dumpster. Do not overfill your dumpster; WM will not pick it up if the lids do not close.

Remember we ONLY do work orders for trash in the summer. If you need assistance during the school year, please reach out to sustainability@dcsdk12.org.

This is unacceptable, WM will not service. Unfortunately, this one was neighborhood dumping and the BE had to take all of the items out so the lid will close.

All roll offs are ordered through Sustainability@dcsdk12.org. The school is responsible for the cost of the roll off. The fees are:

• Cost: $302.50 for the roll off
• Swap/Replace $302.50 (each time it is emptied and returned)
• Per Ton: $40 (additional fee on top of the $302.50 and $50.00 for delivery charge)

Waste Management will not accept appliances, electronics or tires. To order a roll-off off email Sustainability@dcsdk12.org

If you had neighborhood dumping and need a "bulky item pick up", please send a request to Sustainability@dcsdk12.org. Waste Management will not pick up appliances, electronics or tires for bulky item pick ups. Bulky items would include these types of items:

• Mattresses
• Furniture
• Beds
• Cabinets
• Pool Tables
• Anything that would not fit in your dumpster with the lid closed

If you need a lock, please reach out to sustainability@dcsdk12.org. Please let us know if it is trash, recycle or both that you need a lock for and if you have a locking bar already on the bins. WM charges $30.00 per item for bulky item pick up.

Please utilize a bucket for your spent batteries. Once filled, please send to the warehouse for recycling.

If you have metal, please arrange special projects to pick it up and bring it to one of our metal recycling roll-offs located at O&M West and O&M East.

Appliances can be picked up and recycled by Metal Men, call (720) 215-1388 to arrange a pick up (a small fee for pick up, covered by the school).

**It is illegal to put electronics in the trash**

E-Waste is collected and picked up by PedalPoint Recycling at your school on your select day. Please see the pickup calendar for your school here. They will accept the following:

• computers
• tablets
• screens
• tv's
• smart board
• air purifiers

If you have any questions about whether something is e-Waste, please reach out to the bachurch@dcsdk12.org before placing it in your dumpster.

The burnt out light bulbs will be replaced with LED. Please save the non working bulbs and Conserve A Watt will recycle them for you.

Please be mindful of what can go into your school’s single stream recycle bin. Items that cannot be recycled and are placed in the recycle bin will contaminate the entire bin. Below are items that are allowed in the bin, please note that these items need to be clear of food, liquids or other contaminants.

• Flattened Cardboard Boxes

• Clean Empty hard plastics with 1-7 on the recycle label

• Paper

• Magazines

• Tin cans

• Aluminum

• Glass (non broken)

NO Bags please! Plastic bags will slow down and damage the recycle sorting machine at the MRF (Materials Recovery Facility).

Learn what happens to your recyclables after they leave your school. Click on the video below:

These bins are for clothes, shoes recycle, and other linens. The community members are welcome to use these bins, as it helps out the schools. If you notice the bin is full, feel free to let US Again know about it and they will empty it within 48 hours. Anyone can make a request to empty these bins if needed.

DCSD teamed up with a book recycling company called Dream Books. Please do not throw away books, recycle them. If you do not have a bin and want a bin at your school, please contact Beth Church, bachurch@dcsdk12.org to get one ordered or schedule a pick up.

Composting commercially has not been easy in Douglas County until now! We now have 2 companies that are affiliated with DCSD and service in our area. Want to utilize your school as a drop off location or sign up for curbside service? Fill out the interest form for more information below!