The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has completed the following environmental sustainability projects in the past year.

1:  Oil Bypass Filter Project

Oil bypass filters were tested in ten counties during the 1997-99 school years.  The test produced favorable results and the DPI requested permission from the Division of Purchase and Contract to install bypass filters on all 2000 model school buses.  Approval was given and the filters were installed by the chassis contractor on 585 buses.  The cost of $273,270 was paid from the state bus replacement fund.  Current plans are to extend oil drains from every 6000 miles to 24,000 miles with oil analysis performed at each 6000 interval.  The oil analysis will provide detailed information on the condition of the oil and whether an oil change is due prior to the 24,000 interval.  The DPI estimates that over 400,000 quarts of oil will be saved over the lifetimes of these buses. 

2:  Recycled School Bus Tire

The Department in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Administration, and the Department of Commerce began the process of recycling school bus tires in 1995 in North Carolina.  It has been shown that the quality of retreads is excellent and in fact many of the retreads get better mileage than new tires.  By retreading tires, we reduce the amount of solid waste and demand for oil that is used in production of tires.  This is an ongoing project and our goal is to have 100% of all tires recycled.  Currently, we have a commitment from all 100 counties to comply with this project.

3:  Shipping Pallet Recycling Project

The Department in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Administration are collaborating on a project to recycle hardwood-shipping pallets.  This project will take hardwood pallets and custom cut them into pieces to build bluebird houses.  These bluebird houses will then be placed in curriculum appropriate programs for the public schools.  They will be used in classrooms to complete appropriate science and environmental projects that are outlined in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

The DPI Agency Sustainability Council proposes the following projects for Year 2000.

1: National Energy Education Development

The Department in conjunction with the Department of Commerce is collaborating to provide information to the local education agencies on the National Energy Education Development Project.  This project has created awareness for energy conservation and produces changed behavior with the North Carolina public school system.  The goal of this program is to reduce energy consumption. 

2: WasteWise

The Agency Sustainability Advisory Council (SAC) will entertain becoming a member of the WasteWise partnership.  We anticipate initiating this process at our next scheduled meeting. 

3:  Performance Management Plan

The Department will discuss adding sustainability to our performance management work plans.  This issue will be brought before the SAC.

4:  Teleworking

The SAC will work with personnel to investigate teleworking possibilities for the department.

5:  Recycling of Additional Materials

The SAC is beginning process of investigating the recycling of plastic and other materials discarded by the department.

6:  Environmental Friendly School Outreach Guidelines

The School Planning Section will develop guidelines for “walkable” urban/suburban schools.  These guidelines will also contribute to Smart Growth strategies. 

DPI Sustainability Contact:  Dr. Ben Matthews