Mich. Comp. Laws § 324.2511 — MI Code / Chapter 324 / Act Act-451-of-1994 / Section 324.2511
Designation as "green school"; environmental stewardship designation; criteria; approval or rejection of application.
Status: in_force

Sec. 2511.

(1) A public or private school in this state may apply to be designated as a "green school" by submitting an application to the entity designated under subsection (4) by the county in which the school is located. A school is eligible to receive a green school, emerald school, or evergreen school environmental stewardship designation under this section if the school or students perform the required number of activities, with a minimum of 2 activities from each of the categories described in subsection (2), as follows:

(a) Green school - 10.

(b) Emerald school - 15.

(c) Evergreen school - 20.

(2) The activities in the following 4 categories qualify toward an environmental stewardship designation under this section:

(a) Recycling category, which includes the following activities:

( i ) Coordinating a program for recycling at least 2 of the following: office paper, plastic, metal cans, printer cartridges, newspapers and magazines, cellular telephones, cardboard, fabric and clothing, compact discs and digital video discs, or glass.

( ii ) Composting food and organic wastes.

( iii ) Conducting a waste-free lunch program.

( iv ) Implementing a policy to buy recycled, biodegradable, locally produced, or less toxic food and school supplies.

(b) Energy category, which includes the following activities:

( i ) Offering at least 1 teaching unit on alternative energy.

( ii ) Using alternative energy, renewable fuels, or specialized energy-efficient technology in school operations.

( iii ) Implementing a school energy-saving program.

( iv ) Performing energy audits at student homes and educating student families and the community.

( v ) Taking part in a project or event to promote improved vehicle fuel efficiency.

( vi ) Sponsoring an alternative energy presentation, project, or event.

(c) Environmental protection category, which includes the following activities:

( i ) Participating in activities promoting the health of the Great Lakes watershed.

( ii ) Offering a teaching unit on environmental issues facing this state.

( iii ) Establishing or maintaining a natural Michigan garden project with native plants.

( iv ) Establishing or maintaining an animal habitat project.

( v ) Participating in a local community environmental issue by activities such as letter-writing, attending public hearings, raising funds, or community outreach.

(d) Miscellaneous category, which includes the following activities:

( i ) Adopting an endangered or threatened species and publicizing the activity.

( ii ) Hosting an environmental or energy speaker, event, or field trip.

( iii ) Establishing a student organization that participates in environmental activities.

( iv ) Observing earth day by participating in an earth day event in April.

( v ) Maintaining an updated bulletin board or kiosk with information on environmental concerns and the school's actions in addressing those concerns.

( vi ) Establishing an eco-reading program.

( vii ) Updating the school's media center environmental materials.

( viii ) Visiting internet sites that educate about the environment and support endangered ecosystems.

(3) In addition to the activities described in subsection (2), a school may design and propose another activity, which may qualify toward an environmental stewardship designation under this section if the entity designated under subsection (4) approves the activity by December 1 of the applicable school year.

(4) A county shall designate a department of the county or the intermediate school district of the county to accept, consider, and approve or reject an application under subsection (1).

History: Add. 2006, Act 146, Imd. Eff. May 22, 2006; Am. 2010, Act 301, Imd. Eff. Dec. 16, 2010