Wildlife Photograph

Earth Flag

In East Tennessee, as in many other areas of the nation, solid waste production has increased while available landfill space for its disposal has decreased. In Knox County there is no landfill and solid waste is currently transported to a private facility in another county. Therefore, as the population of Knox County continues to grow, so does the problem of disposable waste.

Ijams Earth Flag program addresses the problem of excessive solid waste and teaches students and educators how to reduce waste and improve sustainability in the classroom. By reaching youngsters at an early age, the program instills lifelong learning through hands-on activities reinforced by environmental education concepts.

Schools selected for the program commit to work toward five earth-friendly goals while receiving assistance from written materials, resource organizations, classroom programs, and training opportunities.

Schools seeking an Earth Flag must commit to five program goals that help schools reduce waste and improve the natural environment. The Earth Flag goals are as follows:

  1. REDUCE and REUSE: Every classroom and office in the school must establish a reuse box for paper which is blank on one side so that paper in the school is completely used before being recycled.
  2. RECYCLE: The school must establish a program to recycle a minimum of four materials such as: waste paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, telephone books, etc. ?Schools in Knox County must participate in the annual telephone book recycling campaign sponsored by Knoxville City, Knox County, and BellSouth. If aluminum cans or newspapers are not generated at the school, another recyclable item (such as #1 - #7 plastic or steel food cans) may be substituted.
  3. COMPOST: Earth Flag schools must establish a compost program on the school site and compost a minimum of 10% of school compostable waste.
  4. RELEAF: The school is required to help their students maintain and appreciate a natural site on the grounds of the school OR take on a project to improve the community in which the school exists (such as ADOPT-A-CREEK, Storm Drain Stenciling, etc.). Some Earth Flag schools have created butterfly gardens, vegetable and herb gardens, nature trails, and other such areas to meet this requirement of the program.
  5. COMMUNITY: Earth Flag schools must work with the community to maintain or advance their level and local businesses are a great way to involve the community.

Resources

Wastelines Newsletter

Earth Flag news