01.01A.01 IMSHS - Environmental Policy

IMSHS - Environmental Policy (01.01A.01/05.16)

Illinois Migrant and Seasonal Head Start is fully committed to responsible environmental performance across all of our activities. The requirements listed below apply to all IMSHS operations. Every MSHS manager and employee shall bear a personal responsibility for the following procedures.

Reduce:

  • Electricity consumption-

    • Use water-heater blankets;
    • Turn off computers at the end of the day;
    • Turn off lights at the end of the day;
    • Keep air-conditioners at 72 degrees;
    • Use LED light bulbs.

  • Paper waste

    • Email meeting materials to boards (allowing them to print what they want);
    • Scan invoices to accountants and grantee office;
    • Avoid frugal printing;
    • Create note pads by stapling together once-used paper;
    • Print on both sides of paper.

  • Water consumption

    • Don't water grass;
    • Promptly repair leaky faucets and toilets;
    • Turn off water faucets;
    • Run dishwasher and washing machines with full loads only.
  • Eliminate use of Styrofoam.
  • Eliminate use of individual bottled waters and individual juice boxes.
  • Eliminate use of cleaners, aerosol sprays and plug-in air fresheners.
  • Purchase Green Cleaning products;
  • Practice safe pest control (information on line);
  • Eliminate idling buses, before and while children load and unload.
  • Reduce food waste in classrooms.
  • Purchase local food as much as possible.

Recycle:

  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Ink Cartridges
  • Electronics
  • Glass

Reuse:

  • Buy products that are made from reclaimed materials as much as possible.
  • Use paper products that are made from recycled materials and that are not bleached or dyed.
  • Purchase rain barrels for children's gardening.
  • Compost kitchen scraps for children's gardening.
  • Purchase canvas shopping bags, and use for grocery and other shopping (eliminate use of plastic shopping bags).
  • Replace disposable products with reusable ones (i.e., food storage, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters)
  • Save and reuse all: paper bags, rubber bands, twisties, boxes.