Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Stewardship is one of the five principles that guide us every day. Students and faculty work in a number of ways to make the Verde Valley School a greener place to live and learn.

Our Vision: To leave the smallest possible environmental footprint
 
Our Strategies:
1.    Become a zero waste institution
2.    Use 100% renewable energy
3.    90% of our food will be locally sourced
4.    Use best environmental practices (BEP) for water use and treatment
5.    Use BEP in any renovation, construction, or maintenance on campus
6.    Use BEP in purchasing and in transportation
7.    Train, educate, change the culture - create an integrated environmental leadership program

Students helped create the school garden and a group work there throughout the week to help maintain it. The garden provides fresh vegetables for dorm and faculty kitchens, as well as herb for the school kitchen.

The Green Team is a student-led group that meets regularly and implements environmentally-friendly practices and changes to the school. No change is too small. Here is a list of some:

• replacing styrofoam with compostable cups and bowls in the dining hall.
• replace dorm cleaning chemicals with vinegar.
• helping VVS become more energy efficient
• encouraging the reuse of paper
• beautifying the campus with drought-tolerant plants as well as recycling
• encouraging composting and building a vermiculture project.