What strategies can Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) use to effectively reduce the amount of waste created and increase the efficiency in which waste is sorted (into recycling, compost, and landfill bins) on elementary, middle school, and high school campuses? Furthermore, what are the fiscal effects of reducing and sorting waste on PAUSD campuses?
Summary
This research project’s ultimate goal is to create a formal plan containing suggestions as to how the PAUSD can reduce the amount of energy consumption, both natural gas and electricity, at PALY. In order to do so, the project will include four types of data collection: surveys, interviews, energy monitoring at PALY, and analysis of external and retrieved data. Through this data collection,on project goal is to gain a qualitative and quantitative understanding of where energy is being wasted and used excessively, and therefore be able to create a comprehensive plan that will help reduce energy consumption primarily by way of behavioral changes.