Cincinnati,
Ohio, October 25, 2018 –
Saint Ursula Academy was named the Duke Energy School of the Week by
Duke Energy and Local 12 WKRC-TV for efforts to promote environmental
sustainability on campus. A group of Saint Ursula students and
faculty are part of “The Green Team”, which focuses on ways to reduce, reuse,
recycle, upcycle, and compost in an attempt to reduce the school’s carbon
footprint. New projects are initiated
each year which contribute to the overall reduction of waste on campus.
Over two years ago, the Ursuline Sisters
of Cincinnati provided financial support for the Green Team to purchase two
sorting tables for the Bulldog Fresh Market, Saint Ursula’s dining area.
Students began to recycle lunch items, leading to a large decrease in trash. With additional grants, the Green Team
purchased reusable plates, cups, bowls, and silverware which again reduced this
waste. Next, they began an “upcycling”
initiative where chip bags and granola bar wrappers, which typically can’t be
recycled, can be sent to an upcycling company to be repurposed. In return, the company provides eco-friendly
school supplies for SUA. Finally, this
year, the Green Team began a composting effort, which takes advantage of daily
food scraps to nourish the gardens on campus.
These combined efforts have reduced the amount of trash generated by the
650 students at lunch to less than 2 bags per day.
Along with being named Duke Energy
School of the Week and featured on Local12 News, the Green Team was also
awarded a check for $1,000 from Duke Energy.
They plan to use these funds to continue finding ways to reduce the
amount of trash taken to the landfill.
They are hopeful they can eventually purchase a “Rocket Composter”, so
they can compost on site and share the compost with other schools and community
gardens in East Walnut Hills.
Saint Ursula Academy is a
Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for
academic excellence and rich tradition. Saint Ursula welcomes students from
more than 90 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Academy is recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E.
McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of Saint Ursula Academy
and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2018 earned college scholarships totaling
more than $21-million.
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