Recycle Hawaii and Earth-Friendly Schools Hawaii recently announced the recipients of the 2013 Keeping It Green Hawaii (KIGH) awards. The KIGH program highlights projects and activities by organizations, businesses, schools and government agencies that promote recycling, resource awareness and sustainable
Recycle Hawaii and Earth-Friendly Schools Hawaii recently announced the recipients of the 2013 Keeping It Green Hawaii (KIGH) awards. The KIGH program highlights projects and activities by organizations, businesses, schools and government agencies that promote recycling, resource awareness and sustainable practices in Hawaii.
The program honors the positive “green projects” being implemented in communities, thereby encouraging others to create projects that care for the environment and take action to address local and global issues. To be considered for a Keeping It Green Hawaii award, nominees must meet at least three criteria established by Recycle Hawaii. Criteria include practicing the “3 Rs” — reduce, reuse, recycle; protecting natural resources and native species; using alternative energy and green building practices; and having respect for native Hawaiian gathering rights and cultural practices.
Awardees for 2013 KIGH are The Green House Center for Sustainability and Going Green Recycling Community Clean-Up Program on Oahu, plus Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education (SPACE) and Hualalai Academy on the Big Island.
SPACE is a multi-purpose facility used as a school, farmers market, performance arts education center and community meeting place. Owned and operated by Hawaii’s Volcano Circus (HVC), a nonprofit organization, SPACE was built using ohia and mango wood harvested from its land in Puna district. Windows, doors, flooring and other materials were recycled or repurposed from other building projects.
SPACE uses a solar power grid tie electrical system and has a 22,000-gallon water catchment system. Natural lighting and ventilation eliminates the need for any daytime lighting or air conditioning. Restrooms use sanitary reusable cloth towels rather than disposable paper towels, and bathroom tissue made from recycled paper.
Hualalai Academy empowers students in grades K-8 through an integrated curriculum and experiential learning to develop academic, artistic, social and physical skills. In an effort to improve environmentally sustainable practices on campus, students formed the C.R.E.W. (Clean, Renewable Elimination of Waste) Committee.
They determined 61 percent of their trash could be reused, recycled or composted. With financial support from the William H. Hurt Foundation, they purchased recycling bins, recycling stations and compost bins to place around campus. Students in grades K-5 served as recycling and compost monitors to collect and sort recyclable materials from every office and classroom on campus. Within two months, a follow-up waste stream analysis found 35 percent of the trash could be reused, recycled or composted. C.R.E.W. aims to divert 100 percent of recyclable, reusable and compostable materials from the waste stream, as well as to reduce the academy’s overall landfill waste by 20 percent.
For more information, visit www.recyclehawaii.org or call 969-2012.
