School Board Votes to Reduce MCPS’ Carbon Footprint

How can Montgomery County Public Schools reduce its carbon footprint?

That’s the question members of the Board of Education tasked the system’s superintendent with in a resolution approved by the board members July 17. 

Vice-President Chris S. Barclay wrote the resolution that calls for the superintendent to develop a plan to reduce the carbon footprint of the system. The superintendent will report back to the board each year, beginning with the 2012-13 school year.

Advocates at spurred the discussion, according to the resolution. Some community members and students wanted the school to eliminate polystyrene cafeteria trays and plastic utensils.

They also wanted to install a dishwashing machine in the school’s cafeteria, an idea that Barclay said does not “provide sufficient environmental benefits to justify the costs and staff efforts.”

The issue of whether MCPS cafeterias should have plastic utensils and cafeteria trays made with polystyrene, a commonly used thermoplastic, will be discussed on a system-wide basis.

“I believe that we need to confront and address the larger issue of reducing the system’s carbon footprint,” Barclay wrote. “We should begin investing in more concrete initiatives designed to address this important issue.”

What should MCPS do to reduce its carbon footprint? Tell us in the comments.