Sustainability

In 2007, Dutchess Day School launched a coordinated program to incorporate environmental sustainability into the fabric of the school community. Students learned both what sustainability means and, most importantly, why it is essential for Dutchess Day School to make the transition to an environmentally sustainable campus.

The school continues to move forward with its plans to incorporate and facilitate environmental sustainability. The school maintains a large-scale compost system that accommodates the daily food waste generated by the school’s kitchen, lunch room, and classroom snacks. These and other efforts to promote the three “Rs” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – keep Dutchess Day School involved at the local level of the environmental-sustainability movement. The school also recycles cell phones and printer cartridges, in addition to paper, plastic, and other commingled items. It has committed to increasing the use of recycled paper and eco-friendly cleaning products. Furthermore, the school is actively investigating and implementing ways to “tighten its envelope.” Some of the other projects the school has initiated include the use of local and organic foods, establishing a no-idling policy for cars and buses in the driveway, creating outdoor learning spaces for students, planting wildlife gardens, and planting an organic vegetable garden.

These efforts are inspiring other schools and organizations. Representatives from government agencies and regional schools have visited to learn about our school’s composting system. Dutchess Day School is also a member of the NYS Go Green Initiative Association and the Green Schools Alliance (GSA), and has signed the Green Schools Climate Commitment pledge.