Green Initiatives

Environmental awareness and sustainability issues inspire our students, staff and community.

• A district-wide Go Green committee, consisting of staff, students, parents and community members, meets regularly and grows best practices relating to the energy and resources we consume, the waste we produce, the natural resources on school grounds, and educating the community

• All nine schools compost lunchroom organics. Edina Public Schools divert over 40 tons of organic material from landfills annually, saving the District $20,000 per year in waste hauling and taxes

• Terracycling

• In summer 2009, we initiated a comprehensive Healthy High Performance Cleaning Program for all nine buildings. Aiming to create healthy and comfortable indoor environments, the program uses cleaning products that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve natural resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion

• Outdoor learning spaces—including a floating boardwalk and outdoor classroom at Edina High School, produce gardens and rain gardens at Highlands Elementary and Concord Elementary, and a butterfly garden and sensory garden at Highlands—allow students to explore curriculum in natural environments

• Sodexho Food Service is working to increase the amount of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in school lunches, as well as more locally-grown, seasonal foods