Enhancing sustainability : a feasibility analysis of green measures in a school

Abstract

Schools offer the potential of a strategic approach for the improvement of Malta's sustainability status. By improving waste management, the problem of limited resources and space in Malta is improved, and gas emissions from waste minimised. C02 emissions may be reduced through PV s, energy saving lights working with sensors, and through the inclusion of passive building features. These contribute to increased social comfort. Social well-being is enhanced through committees such as EkoSkola and campaigns, such as the HSBC Catch the Drop campaign. These help in the involvement, and education of students, as well as the environment. Water savings are possible through cistern water displacers (referred to as water hippos), mulching machine and water catchments. These should be accompanied by no-cost solutions, such as raising student awareness. Water catchment is an expensive water saving measure, but it is effective and of high value, and can lead to a free water supply as from the 61st year (this may be acceptable given that schools are commonly used for longer periods). In 6 years, the water catchment potentially provided a return of €13,263. Thus, the catchment lifetime and that of a school favour its implementation. SWHs and intelligent lighting systems are more challenging financially for a school environment than the measures mentioned, depending greatly on the electricity tariffs. These are considered as green measures, even though not necessarily feasible. In the one school analysed more than 90,000 units of electricity were generated in one year, 5,284m3 have been potentially saved in six years from a water catchment, an annual average of 1,152m3 of water consumption has been possibly reduced through the water hippos, and 1,868m3 can be potentially reduced through the use of a mulching machine. The latter is especially cost-feasible because of the school has a large landscaped area. This study is of contribution to the decision-maker considering the measures analysed. The findings can be supported by future studies taking a greater scope and incorporating the role of local schools, and the possibility of extending the use of schools, in recognition of the strategic concept. The school is now generating its energy at a lower rate than the electricity tariff, and is gaining approximately €4,688 from water hippos and the mulching machine (as an estimate).