Veronica+Hewitt

Year 9 Japanese = St Leonards = = cornish campus = At St Leonards there were many aspects of the school that highlighted their dedication towards sustainability using their four rings titled personal, urban/technology, socio-culture and natural. It constantly amazed me how everything that was taught at this school had to somehow link back to one or more of these rings, that really showed how much this school enjoyed giving back to the community. The ways St Leonard's are sustainable include:
 * Sustainability **
 * Produce and consume their own food: they did this using vegetable gardens which grow nutritious food but also dont harm the environment in the manufacturing process.
 * Three bins to divide rubbish: they had recycling, food scraps and general waste scattered all over the school meaning wherever you are you could always conviniently help the environment.
 * Food scraps go to the chooks: which mean they were getting rid of that sector of their waste and the chooks got something to eat.
 * Natural lighting: they used this all around the school with windows facing the sun. This reduced the need for lights and therefore electricity could be conserved.
 * Solar panels: this worked really effectively at keeping energy bills down low that it actually creates more energy than is needed at the school and the energy produced goes back to the grid.
 * Passive air conditioning and heating: this worked really well even though no energy was needed.
 * Water tanks: as well as saving energy, St Leonard's also worked at conserving energy by using water taks which saves litres of water per year that can then be recycled.
 * Thermal chimnies: is a way of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy.
 * Electronic Learning: since this school has solar panels, they have an abundance of environmentally friendly energy which they use to power laptops for school so that they needn't any text books and therefore don't harm trees.

Saving the earth doesnt come cheap but in the long term you do end up saving money. Each year St Leonard's save: Overall I had a great and informative day at St Leonard's and learnt many new ways about keeping the earth healthy. And I will remember that sustainability is about providing enough for all forever.
 * 70GJ of energy
 * $2,000 in general
 * 5 tonnes of greenhouse gas
 * 100,000 black balloons

= CERES = Ceres was a very beneficial excursion as we learnt numerous amounts of ways to be sustainable because practically everything in the environmental park was either a reused or recycled resource. We firstly went on a tour and the ways they were efficient with water, energy and materials were: This excursion to Ceres really helped me gain knowledge about the various ways you can be sustainable, even some I had never even thought of. I now know different strategies that Japanese schools may use and can now find out why they use the ones they do. It has also helped me come up with a few ways that St Columba's could be sustainable, such as: There is a pretty bad litter problem at the moment which needs to be seriously addressed. We firstly need to just sort out our rubbish into recycling and landfill at St Columba's. We definetely need to have more recycling bins around the school as this would help promote the idea of being environmentally friendly. Most of the waste (including recyclable) just goes into landfill. Before we start thinking about having a third bin for compost, I think we should just sort out are rubbish into recyclable and landfill.
 * They composted food scraps (which are biodegradable) and then used them for fertiliser or soil. In the transformation process, the bacteria firstly makes the food soft which the worms and parasites then feed on which breaks it down.
 * They had over 350 solar panels which generate enough energy for a majority of the site. Some of the solar panels were used to actually create the roofs of buildings and houses which reduced the amount of extra materials that would have been needed if they made the roof and then put the solar panels on top.
 * They used rain water to flush the toilets. On average each Australian flushes the amount of water that someone in a third world country would drink in a whole day. When you put it in perspective like this, you are able to realise how much the world would benefit from even the smallest of things to be sustainable.
 * They had a 20 thousand litre water tank on the site and a 50 thousand litre one underneath.
 * They had fish which they used the waste of to apply nutrients to create soil.
 * They used storm water from the road and filtered it so it can be used as good quality water for the pond.
 * All the houses and buildings within the site faced the direction of the sun (north) and were built in such a way (with the precise angle of the awnings) that the windows allowed the sun in winter and blocked it during summer. This reduces the need for air cons or heaters and therefore cuts down the green house emmisions associated.
 * All the windows were double glazed including the glass doors.
 * They reused old timber from which 85% of the tree was used when cut down opposed to the average 40-60%.
 * They used carpets that were off cuts so were going to be thrown out anyway.
 * The cafe only sold organic foods and drink which hadn't been transported far either.
 * The market only sold plants/ foods that were transported within metres instead of the usual kilometres which reduces the energy used in the transportation but also the chemicals added to the foods to keep them ripe for long periods of time.
 * They were currently building a wind turbine.
 * They had a 'build a bike' sector where people chose different parts of the bike to recreate one with some assistance. This is a great way to reuse old materials.
 * They had a lot of veggie gardens which produced a variety of veggies including pumpkin, lettuce, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, egg plant and more. These food were sold at the market less than 30 metres away.
 * Using natural lighting in classrooms- this enables the reduction with energy used to produce the electricity needed. We have many large windows already placed in classrooms so it would not be much of an inconvenience.
 * Turning off appliances at the switch- this uses no electricity opposed to the little used when just putting appliances on standby of not turned off at the switch because all the little bits of energy all add up.
 * Use rain water to flush toilets- the water would be filtered to get rid of any harmful bacteria but even so, we don't actually drink the water or come in contact with it in any way.
 * Have a compost bin at the school- it would be placed in a fairly remote area of the school and blocked off from students so the smell wont bother anyone. But during school hours. students can put any organic food scraps from their lunch into a certain recycling bin that gets tossed into a compost bin by the cleaners afterschool each day.

= Sustainability in Japan =

**How do they save electricity in Japanese schools? What about in Korea? **
We’re not really sure. All we got out of the students we emailed was this… (Japan) ‘When we do not use the electricity, we delete it.’ (Presumably this means when they are not using something, they turn it off) (Korea) ‘For reducing air conditioning electricity, encourage tountie a tie and winter, encourage to wear a long johns’ (they are encouraged to wear more and cooler/warmer clothing depending on the weather and what season it is) ‘I'm sorry but I do not know the meaning of sustainability. I'm going to study English for being more nice!’

**Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs) in Japan**
The Government of Japan, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Environment is promoting the 3Rs to create a sustainable society in Japan. What are the 3Rs? 減らす ( へらす )Reduce-  reducing the amount of waste by increasing the efficiency of resource use and extending the useful life of products. <span class="No_0020Spacing�155�Char" style="font-family: 'MS Gothic','Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">再利用 <span class="No_0020Spacing�156�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;"> ( <span class="No_0020Spacing�157�Char" style="font-family: 'MS Gothic','Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">さいりようする <span class="No_0020Spacing�158�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">) Reuse- <span class="No_0020Spacing�159�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;"> using ‘recyclable resources’ form used in items again, as products or parts, after giving them proper treatment. <span class="No_0020Spacing�160�Char" style="font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">リサイクル <span class="No_0020Spacing�161�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;"> Recycle- <span class="No_0020Spacing�162�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;"> Using ‘recyclable resources’ as raw materials to make new products. <span class="No_0020Spacing�163�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Japan has embarked on a continuous development of a legislative structure geared towards the 3Rs to find a solution to their waste problem. They have developed a ‘Recycling Orientated Economic System’ and have created new policies and legislation aimed at overcoming their landfill problems. The project is to be completed in three phrases <span class="No_0020Spacing�164�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�165�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Elimination of hazardous chemicals <span class="No_0020Spacing�166�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�167�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Recycling <span class="No_0020Spacing�168�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�169�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Green new product development <span class="No_0020Spacing�170�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">The 3R Initiative in Japan aims to reduce waste, encourage recycling, reduce barriers to trade in goods and materials for recycling and remanufactured products, and promote science and technology on this subject. To ensure that these things happened, certain laws and policies were re-introduced or introduced in Japan. <span class="No_0020Spacing�171�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">The New policies/laws Japan introduced can be categorised into four groups. These are: <span class="No_0020Spacing�172�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�173�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Basic framework laws <span class="No_0020Spacing�174�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�175�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Laws for proper waste management and recycling <span class="No_0020Spacing�176�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�177�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Laws for promoting specific waste recycling <span class="No_0020Spacing�178�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�179�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">The Green Purchasing Law which promotes greater utilization of recycled materials and requires government bodies to take a lead in procuring environmentally friendly products and materials <span class="No_0020Spacing�180�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Some of the laws that were introduced include: <span class="No_0020Spacing�181�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�182�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources <span class="No_0020Spacing�183�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�184�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Container and Packaging Recycling Law <span class="No_0020Spacing�185�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�186�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Home Appliance Recycling Law <span class="No_0020Spacing�187�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�188�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Construction Material Recycling Law <span class="No_0020Spacing�189�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�190�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Food Recycling Law <span class="No_0020Spacing�191�Char" style="font-family: 'Symbol','Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">· <span class="No_0020Spacing�192�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">End-of-Life Vehicles Recycling Law

<span class="Normal�193�Char" style="color: #26ff00;">Recommendations for our school
<span class="Normal�194�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Electricity at St Columba’s <span class="Normal�195�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">The electricity situation at St. Columba’s isn’t very good. Lights and computers are left on all day, and it’s as though the sun and exercise books don’t even exist anymore. The air conditioner and heaters are continuously sought after, when all some students need to do is put on their jumper or blazer. <span class="Normal�196�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Two easy electricity saving methods that should be introduced and put into play in our school are natural lighting and turning off appliances. Too often the blinds are left closed in our classrooms and the lights are left on. By opening the blinds we are producing natural light. There are a number of large windows in each classroom, meaning that even on overcast days you can still see well enough (and if it’s too dark you only need to turn on 1 light). This would cause a significant decrease in the amount of energy used at our school. Another simple action we could take is simply turning off appliances off at the switch- including the lights. Too often when we’ve been leaving school later due to some activity, you can see every light in the school illuminated in the darkness. And, the majority of them are uninhabited. Also, other appliances such as the computers are being left on. When appliances are off at the switch, they are using no electricity. We should bring in a practice at our school where we turn off appliances after using them (things such as lights, air conditioner, fans, heater, computers etc.) If we do this enough, it will start to become second nature and something that students will continue to do after leaving St Columba’s. <span class="Normal�197�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">There are also other methods that we can use to reduce the amount of electricity we use at St Columba’s. One of these ways would be by in the future, making sure that as many as possible windows are facing towards the north and are built in such as way (with the precise angle of the awnings) that the windows allowed the sun’s rays to come through the window in winter, but blocked them during summer. This can help reduce the need for air conditions and heaters. The windows should also be double glazed. <span class="Normal�198�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Another alternative for trying to find alternative ways to produce energy would be by installing some solar panels and/or a wind turbine. All though it probably wouldn’t be able to supply for much of the school, if it even can just produce electricity for one room it will be making a difference to our schools carbon footprint. <span class="Normal�199�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Other ways St. Columba’s can be more sustainable… <span class="No_0020Spacing�200�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">Water <span class="No_0020Spacing�201�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Our school currently isn’t doing much to save water. A common practice amongst primary schools is placing ice cream containers beneath drink taps. And it is an effective way to put wasted water to use. Every day, litres and litres of water go down the drain and by doing this some of this water can go to use by being fed to plants around the school. This will also mean we have healthier, lusher plants. Another way to save water is installing water tanks. Although it may be expensive, it’s worth it. The collected rain water could be put to a number of uses such as flushing some of the toilets around the school. <span class="No_0020Spacing�202�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">Compost bins and/or worm farms <span class="No_0020Spacing�203�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">Compost bins are a good way to recycle ‘naturally’. By throwing non meat, non citrus food together and letting it break down, it causes a decrease in waste in our school (which is a big problem) and it also creates soil that’s rich in nutrients and great for the environment. <span class="No_0020Spacing�204�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">Vegetable gardens <span class="No_0020Spacing�205�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">At St Columba’s, we have a reasonable amount of plant life. But we could make our school even better by planting vegetables in some areas. This promotes healthy eating and fresh food, and the canteen could benefit from it as well as on occasion they could have fresh vegetables in their rolls etc. <span class="No_0020Spacing�206�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold;">Recycling Bins <span class="No_0020Spacing�207�Char" style="font-family: 'Arial'; font-size: 9pt;">It can take a while to find a recycling bin in our school, and most people just end up throwing their paper in the waste bin. And schools produce a lot of paper. We’re wasting hundreds of trees. Our school needs to bring in more recycling bins so they are easily assessable during class time. Even one or two outside would be a good idea, as many students buy drinks and other foods with recyclable materials from the canteen.

= Interview With Japanese Student = Turn off the lights when leaving the classroom. Turn off at the switch. Turn off the tap while washing hands. Reuse rubbish that is recycleable and reduce the amount of landfill rubbish we use. Separate rubbish into different piles for different types of rubbish. Wash the graffiti using a damp cloth. Have cleaning time everyday.
 * How do Japanese schools save electricity?**
 * How do Japanese schools save water?**
 * How do Japanese schools recycle waste (including paper)?**
 * How are Japanese schools cleaned (including graffiti and rubbish removal)?**