PPS Sustainability Initiatives  

A wide variety of sustainability-related learning experiences are woven into the everyday culture and the curriculum throughout the district. Please review the following areas in which we’ve already made progress.

District-wide Programs & School Board Policies

• In 2023, the PPS Board of Education enacted a revised District Sustainability Policy to indicate sustainable target areas throughout the district.

• The District is working to enact a suite of sustainably-related policies that will be sub-policies within the broader Sustainability Policy, starting with a new Safe Routes to School policy, enacted in 2023.

• The Operations Subcommittee of the PPS Board of Education addresses sustainability topics on an ongoing basis.

• All schools within PPS are certified through Sustainable Jersey for Schools and have dedicated Green Teams who are working to make their schools more sustainable.

• In 2023, several administrators and educators from Princeton Public Schools attended a one-day conference focused on K-5 Climate Change Education at TCNJ. Curriculum professionals and teacher-leaders learned strategies for integrating climate change instruction across content areas and grade levels.

Energy

• The district uses EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager to monitor its energy and natural gas use and track the progress of energy efficiency upgrades.

• In 2021, all four elementary schools received upgrades to bring in more energy-efficient LED lighting.

• From 2022 through 2024, the district completed its goal of making the roofs on nearly all school buildings white, to better reflect sunlight and reduce the need for air conditioning. During these roof upgrades, the school's insulation was improved, helping to lower heating and cooling costs.

• PPS is currently planning to install state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps, throughout the elementary schools. PSEG's Direct Install Program covers 75% of the cost of these energy-efficient and cost-saving upgrades.

• During the 2024-25 school year, the district will host another Pizza Party Power-Down. This friendly competition encourages all schools to turn off lights and power down projectors to reduce energy consumption. The school who has the lowest energy use through the school year wins a pizza prize!

• The District is currently exploring all options to bring solar to each school building.

Transportation

• In 2022, the district surveyed staff to determine which school(s) have staff with the most interest in purchasing or leasing electric vehicles. A total of 182 persons responded and demonstrated strong support for the district to seek grants and funds to bring EV charging to employees. Please review the survey results here.

• The district continues to seek grants and find other funding opportunities that could bring workplace charging or electrify its fleet.

Natural Resources

• The district has naturalized two stormwater basins at Princeton High School: an EcoLab and Wet Meadow. Both are currently maintained by community volunteers and PHS staff and students. 

• Princeton owns a battery-powered leaf blower and uses it in courtyards and near school windows to reduce fumes and noise. In partnership with the Municipality of Princeton, the district received a $10,000 Sustainable Jersey grant in 2021 funded by the Gardinier Environmental Fund that provided this leaf blower and the opportunity to explore the transition from gas-powered landscaping equipment.

Materials Management

• Kitchen staff at all six schools collect food scraps for processing. Trenton Biogas accepts PPS food scraps and converts them into renewable energy.

• The district uses greener cleaning supplies. The floor cleaner, glass cleaner, degreaser, hand soap, paper towels, and toilet paper used within PPS are all certified by Green Seal, indicating that they meet the highest standard for protecting the health and the environment.

• All elementary schools have a set of reusable serviceware available for class parties and PTO events.