We recently learned about the Ontario EcoSchool certification program which awards environmentally-friendly schools for their efforts in conserving our planet. We think it’s a great program and have written a post about it titled: Ontario Eco-School Program. However, while being EcoSchool certified can be encouraging and great, is it making a difference in schools? Or is it just another label?
In this post, we will be answering those questions. That being through the analysis of a research done to show the connection between EcoSchools and conservation progress.
Prologue
So to start off, the research we mentioned is done through a third party requested by EcoSchool itself with the help/funding from Ontario’s ministry of Energy. This third party is Immacutec Systems Technologies Inc. Now, we know there is some controversy about companies doing their own research to prove results but all they’re gaining is a better reputation to encourage schools to care more about the environment and to be part of the program. We think it is fair and will proceed to analyze the report. Stick with us, there are some interesting facts!
An Intro
Before we get into the nitty-gritty details and results of the research, you should know a little about the actual content of the research and what it encompassed. So essentially, 49 schools ( EcoSchools and Non-EcoSchools) participated in this experiment. The main focus was on trying to find how much waste is produced and how much power is used. The results were interesting but not totally shocking.
Results
- EcoSchools produce 57% less waste (garbage and organic combined)
- The EcoSchool program doesn’t necessarily make sure the school is significantly more “green”. What it does is bring more attention, awareness and encouragement to to students and staffs! However, to make substantial changes, principals and teachers have to get more involved to encourage the students so that being certified as an EcoSchool could actually make a massive difference.
Our Conclusions
After going through the report and its results, we think that it is possible to be an EcoSchool without the label! If students have enough motivation, they can be as Eco-friendly as they’d like to be! However, we also agree that being certified as an EcoSchool is a great thing as it helps bring that motivation to schools! It inspires the students to want to achieve the green goals set out by the EcoSchool program and we think that’s great!
Thank you for reading! Be sure to check our related posts below and also feel free to share your thoughts about this research in the comments!
Related:
Innisfil High School’s Enviroventure Program
Leamington District School Gets Platinum EcoSchool Certified