Orange County NC Website
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Climate & Sustainability Summary <br /> Orange County schools does not have a sustainability program but has a policy in <br /> place to make energy management conservation part of the district's daily practice. <br /> Our sustainability efforts go beyond routine facility work such as mechanical, <br /> lighting, or other building improvements to include programs and hands-on projects <br /> in our curriculum that include environmental education, teaching students to be <br /> stewards of the environment, and outreach efforts within schools and the <br /> community. <br /> Composting: Two of our elementary schools are currently piloting a cafeteria- <br /> composting program in cooperation with Orange County Solid Waste and Brooks <br /> Contractor. The pilot program will study the amount of food waste, generated from <br /> the cafeteria and kitchen, that will be diverted from the landfill and determine the <br /> program benefit in assisting the district in reducing our carbon footprint. <br /> Geothermal Project at Orange High School: In meeting long term planning goals <br /> of energy efficiency and cost savings, geothermal HVAC is currently being installed <br /> at Orange High School. 250 wells have been completed and work is currently <br /> underway to install and new air handlers and upfit the building with required water <br /> lines. Project scheduled to be completed the summer of 2021. <br /> School Gardens: Several schools have school gardens onsite. Each garden is truly <br /> unique in its set up, which class is responsible for it, and what they grow, etc. We <br /> hope to find full time funding in the future to advance the garden program. <br /> LED Lighting Upgrades: Through a program with Duke Energy, we upgraded old <br /> and inefficient lighting in all gymnasiums, and completed projects in Central <br /> Elementary, Efland Cheeks Global Elementary, Grady A. Brown Elementary, New <br /> Hope Elementary, C.W. Stanford Middle School, and Orange High School. <br /> Additional projects are scheduled to occur this spring at Cameron Park Elementary <br /> and C.W. Stanford Middle School. The lighting is brighter, energy efficient, motion <br /> activated and will significantly reduce outage times and electrical maintenance time. <br />