What is DeltaGreen?

The Delta School District has taken a proactive role in environmental stewardship for many years.  Facilities have been constructed, renovated and retrofitted with energy conservation in mind, schools and other District sites have undertaken paper recycling programs and other waste reduction measures, custodial practices have changed to reduce packaging and incorporate more environmentally friendly cleaning products, and a number of other initiatives have been implemented to do our part in greening our operations.  However, we need to do far more in the areas of climate action, conservation of non-renewable resources, water and the environment, and contribution to sustainable region principles established by Metro Vancouver.  DeltaGreen is the strategy the Delta School District has developed and follows to bring us to sustainable excellence.   Click here to view District Administrative Procedure #544 – Sustainability.

Waste Diversion in Delta Schools and District Facilities

In 2015, the Metro Vancouver Regional District implemented a disposal ban on organic materials in the waste stream affecting businesses, residents and institutions.  In order to comply with the ban, the Delta School District implemented measures over Summer 2014 to ensure organics, as well as recyclable items, are properly separated from the general waste stream, collected and disposed of.

Measures included:

• the purchase and set-up of “Waste Watcher” separation/collection stations at all District facilities;
• adding organic waste dumpsters outside of all District facilities;
• the general removal of waste containers in all classrooms, offices and meeting rooms – leaving only single-stream recycling containers; and
• development of a stronger waste diversion promotion program to change behaviours of staff and students.

Staff and students are encouraged to reduce waste through a variety of means, including “Litterless Lunches”, choosing products with minimal packaging, challenging other schools on waste reduction, and properly separating discarded items into the following receptacles:

• Mixed Recyclables (non-refundable plastic, glass and aluminum food and beverage containers, paper, office metals, cardboards);
• Refundables (refundable beverage cans, bottles, tetra-paks);
• Organics (fruit, vegetable, meat, egg and fish food waste, tea bags, coffee grounds, paper towels, tissues and napkins, plant waste);
• Waste (waxed paper, foil, styrofoam, light bulbs, food wrap, other items not covered in the other receptacles).

For specifics on what goes in each receptacle, refer to the sign above each receptacle at the Waste Watcher station.  For more information on the Metro Vancouver Organics Ban, click here.