GreenFutures

All Schools can be Great!
All Schools can be Green!

About

Join us on a journey to GreenFutures – the District’s plan to provide each student in Philadelphia with a green, healthy, high-performance school that promotes teaching and learning and equips future leaders and decision makers with the knowledge and skills needed for a changing world.

GreenFutures is not just about recycling, clean water or planting trees – though those efforts are important. We take a holistic approach: this is about how we live, and how we nurture our young people to be responsible future stewards of our planet.

How do we do that? Check out helpful materials, projects and programs to learn how schools can be great and green!

History of GreenFutures

GreenFutures was launched in 2016, to build a culture of sustainability throughout the School District of Philadelphia by making every school a greener school to better serve students and communities. The second version, GreenFutures 2.0, is currently under development. 

GreenFutures was modeled after the City of Philadelphia’s sustainability plan, Greenworks, and National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-School USA program. The plan is broken up into five interconnected focus areas: Education for Sustainability, Consumption and Waste, Energy and Efficiencies, School Greenscapes, and Healthy Schools/Healthy Living.

Whole school sustainability is a transformative approach that goes far beyond traditional recycling programs or school gardens. Here, sustainability is not an add-on but a fundamental principle guiding every decision and action. It is about creating a holistic, resilient, and future-ready educational environment that fosters sustainable practices in every aspect of school life. This vision integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions to cultivate a culture of sustainability that encompasses the entire school community.

In essence, whole school sustainability is about nurturing a generation of environmentally literate and socially responsible citizens. It is about inspiring students to understand that their actions matter and that they have the power to drive positive change. By embedding sustainability into the heart of education, we are not only preparing students for a sustainable future but also creating thriving, resilient communities today.

Results and Recognition

  • 2024: First White House Summit on Sustainable and Healthy School Buildings and Grounds
  • 2021: PWD Stormwater Pioneer Award – Green Infrastructure Program
  • 2019: Project Green Schools Award
  • 2019: Moving to the Head of the Class Award – Keystone Energy Education Foundation (KEEF)
  • 2018: Pennsylvania Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award
  • 2017: United States Department of Education Green Ribbon Award
  • 2016: SustainPHL Award
  • 2011: First LEED Platinum for the School District

Be an EcoSchool!

Learn More

Education for Sustainability

Education for Sustainability

Ready to get green?! Education for Sustainability helps equip students, schools, and the community to develop the skills and habits to be responsible citizens while nourishing our health and that of the living systems around us.

We are proud to partner with the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program, recognized by the PA Department of Education as a model for whole school sustainability.

  • Eco-Schools USA is an internationally acclaimed program that provides a framework to help educators integrate sustainability principles throughout their schools and curriculum.
  • Schools are encouraged to use Eco-Schools action cards which offer step-by-step guidance, tips, and resources to engage entire school communities in creating a healthier, more sustainable environment.
  • Project-based learning connects students with real-world environmental issues, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Lending Library – This Lending Library is a resource open to District teachers to utilize and share materials with students to benefit from. This is to support decreased consumption and equitable access to classroom science materials.

Together, we can make a lasting impact!

Tricia&Amy 2013 TriciaMoskal.com

Quicklinks

Consumption & Waste

Consumption & Waste

The District is committed to reducing the amount of trash it sends to landfills. By embracing sustainability efforts such as reducing, reusing, and recycling, the District lowers costs, and fosters innovation and good citizenship. It also improves the communities in which we live and work.

Waste Program Contact Information. For waste and recycling dumpster issues and pickups, email trash@philasd.org. For other inquiries, email greenfutures@philasd.org.

Chemical Management Procedures for Schools

Chemical Management

Each school must follow procedures for ordering and disposing of chemicals per regulatory requirements and maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all chemicals. SDSs should be organized and kept in the Principal’s Office and where chemicals are stored or used.

Chemical Management Plan, Science + Chemicals = A Safer Green Environment: A Guide for Science Teachers within the School District of Philadelphia

  • Internal policies on chemicals purchasing, including a list of approved chemicals and associated Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
  • Chemical safety information, such as proper storage and best management practices in the laboratory
  • Chemical disposal procedures.
  • How to incorporate green chemistry practices including tips to scale down experiments and substitute material without reducing the experience for students.

Electronic or Technology Waste

Electronic or Technology Waste

All District facilities routinely generate electronic or technology wastes, including:

  • outdated computers
  • televisions
  • cathode ray tubes
  • other electronic components

To arrange disposal services, call the I.T. Help Desk at 215-400-5555.

Do Not Dispose Of The Following Items In The Trash Or Recycling

  • Fluorescent lamps
  • Light bulbs with mercury
  • Emergency lights
  • Small sealed lead acid batteries
  • Electronic devices with cathode ray tubes i.e computer monitors (non-flat panel) and TVs
  • Blood pressure meters
  • Non-empty aerosol cans
  • Mercury containing products such as
    • vacuum gauges
    • medical devices
    • thermostats & thermometers
    • switches
    • gas flow regulators
    • novelties with mercury added

For disposal, school personnel need to complete this form.
Requests received during the week are assigned to vendors every Friday. For urgent needs, submit the form and email greenfutures@philasd.org.

Quicklinks

CLEANfutures

CLEANfutures

Litter Project

GreenFutures and the city’s Streets Department are teaming up for a city-wide project to make Philadelphia litter-free. The CleanFutures Litter Project invites all school students to help create a LITTER INDEX by recording litter data on their school campuses. This data will guide efforts to address litter issues and measure the success of student action projects.

Contribute to city-wide data! Select at least 3 locations on your school property and submit a School Litter Index Form.

Quicklinks

Single-Stream Recycling

6 Steps to Single-Stream Recycling at Your School

  1. IDENTIFY a Sustainability Coordinator for your school. Select a teacher or staff member to be your Sustainability Coordinator! This person will be in charge of implementing the program. A good coordinator is someone who is familiar with school staff and routines, a leader, organized and enthusiastic about the environment.
  2. ASSEMBLE a Green Team. Students can play a huge role in the success of your recycling program. They can take the burden of collection off the Building Engineer and encourage their peers to join in.
  3. SUBMIT your Online BINventory. Account for bins in each classroom, office, and common area, especially cafeterias
  4. SETUP your waste station. Once received, recycling bins and trash cans should always be placed together – think of it as the “buddy system”. Use any provided stickers to convert any extra trash cans into recycling bins
  5. POST Signs Be sure to post signs telling/showing what goes in each bin. This is especially important in the cafeteria! Signage will be made available for distribution and download.
  6. LAUNCH Program. With an assembly and letters.

Quicklinks

What goes in the bin?

  • Mixed paper
  • Flattened cardboard
  • Plastic #1 through #7
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Rinsed food & drink cartons
  • Aluminum, metal cans

What stays out of the bin?

  • Food waste
  • Snack or candy wrappers
  • Paper plates or cups
  • Plastic bags
  • Styrofoam
  • Plastic-coated envelope
  • Paper towels, napkins or tissue

Energy & Efficiency

Energy & Efficiency

Energy Education programs engage teachers, students, and entire school communities around the science of modern energy and the importance of organizational energy conservation. The District:

  • is committed to reducing its energy spending so more funds can be used for education
  • strives to instill a culture of energy conservation and reduce the environmental and human health impacts associated with fossil fuel combustion
  • tracks utility consumption and energy performance ratings utilizing ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for all of its buildings
  • reviews trends in the reduction of energy consumption is building improvements and renovations
  • has completed several major relighting projects and natural gas conversions

Philadelphia 2030 District

By committing all District buildings to this innovative initiative, we aim to significantly reduce energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions, creating a more sustainable and resilient community. Our participation underscores our dedication to environmental stewardship and the well-being of our students, staff, and the broader Philadelphia community.

Energy Education

Quicklinks

School Greenscapes

School Greenscapes

School “greenscapes” transform barren asphalt and grass into stages for discovery. They bring nature to city neighborhoods and provide vibrant environments for learning and imaginative play.

Quicklinks

Screen-Shot-2023-01-30-at-4.57.20-PM-1024x683

Sense.Able Schoolyards

A collaboration between Fairmount Water Works and the School District of Philadelphia, funded by Spark Therapeutics. The curriculum emphasizes environmental justice, equity, and sustainability through student investigations in their schoolyards and communities.

Learn More

Understanding the Urban Watershed Curriculum Guide

Developed by the Fairmount Water Works and supported in part by the Green City, Clean Waters initiative of the Philadelphia Water Department, this teaching tool takes students through an integrated approach to learning using Philadelphia’s water story as the context, with its twists and turns, describing the urban water system.

Learn More

94427900_1588041704679270_3757051401277014016_n

Philly Tree Plan

The School District of Philadelphia is a key partner in the Philly Tree Plan, working to increase tree canopy around schools to boost student health and well-being. With schools currently having low tree coverage, the plan includes:

  • a process for planting more trees
  • collaborating on green stormwater projects
  • engaging with parent groups
  • integrating environmental education into the curriculum
  • inspiring student interest in environmental science

Learn More

Healthy Schools, Healthy Living

Healthy Schools, Healthy Living

On average, students spend more than 900 hours every year in their school buildings. The District is committed to providing students and staff with a well-resourced, safe, healthy, clean, and comfortable learning and working environment.

Here’s how we strive for healthy minds in healthy bodies in healthy buildings:

Boy drinking from hydration station

Hydration Stations

Children learn best when they are hydrated. To promote healthy hydration, the School District of Philadelphia has been installing more than 2,000 modern hydration stations, with a goal of having one for every 100 students so there is ample, refreshing drinking water. These stations feature lead filters, chilled water, digital counters, and bottle-filling stations, while saving plastic bottles from landfills.

Student-Led Drinking Water Campaign

In partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the District facilitated a student-led campaign to promote drinking water. Polling over 900 students, the campaign highlighted the importance of messages like “Clean, Cool, Refreshing” and “Your Body Needs Water.” Students expressed a higher likelihood of drinking tap water if informed about its environmental and health benefits. Posters designed with student input further promoted “Healthy Hydration in Action” across schools.

Quicklinks

Classroom Connections

Policies, Practices & Communication

Water Safety & Quality

Promotion: Student-Created Videos

Contact

Something Missing? Broken Link?

Submit Feedback