Going Green

Being ‘green’ is a pillar of the Lycée Francais de New York both operationally and philosophically. We are committed to an aggressive platform of initiatives that support a holistic approach to green living, both at school and beyond.

Recent Accomplishments

Green Power Partnership

In March 2010, the Lycée partnered with the EPA in a Green Power partnership. We will offset 100% of our energy usage with renewable energy credits (REC’s) for the next two years.

Recycling

The school continues to put recycling at the forefront:

  • In January 2012 the Lycée held its second e-recycling drive. The school collected laptops, phones, printers, and video games that may have found their way into landfills. The items collected were donated to the charity Goodwill. We hope these efforts will lessen our negative impact on landfills and help those less fortunate than ourselves
  • Every year the school recycles close to 1,000 lbs. of batteries, florescent lamps and old electronics to ensure that harmful toxins do not leech into our ground water and that some of the discarded material can be reused.
  • The entire school community is working toward making recycling paper, metals and plastics the norm for the Lycée. Since 2007, the school has put recycling containers in all classrooms and offices and set up recycling stations in all the common areas of the school a year later. LFNY also employs a Green Seal policy which assures that most of our products are green sealed and recyclable.
LEED Commitment

We are currently in phase three of the certification process for LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings-Operation and Maintenance) – the goal of which is maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. Our LEED certification approval is expected in the 2010-2011 school year. In May 2010 we reached a milestone by attaining an Environmental Protection Agency prerequisite score which enabled us to move to the final phase of certification.

As part of this commitment, an environmentally cognizant approach is in action throughout the school:

  • Cleaning Green
    The school continues its commitment to green cleaning products or those meeting Green Seal criteria to ensure a healthy school environment. Green cleaning has been part of our cleaning program since 2006 and our commitment to LEED-EBOM will ensure Green cleaning is always an important aspect of our cleaning regimen.
  • Electric Reduction
    In 2009 the school used 1,940,000 KWH (Kilowatt hours), which was a reduction from the previous four years and accounts for a reduction of almost 40% from our 2005 usage.
  • Energy Curtailment Specialists
    Our partnership with ECS (Energy Curtailment Specialists) has resulted in payments to the school of over $50,000 for just 25 hours of energy reduction over the past 5 years. When electric grid instability occurs, thousands of organizations like ours reduce their electric use and help prevent blackouts or brownouts in the city
  • Solar Project Spring 2012
    We hope this project is an inspiration to students as they learn about alternative energy sources and the suns power to generate electrical energy. As part of the project a new weather monitoring station is also being added. Students will be able to calculate the KW production of our solar modules in relation to real time weather conditions. The Lycee Français de New York would like to thank the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the New York Energy and Research Administration, Newscorp and Aon solar for helping us realize this project. This project was 100% funded through public and private funding. A special thanks goes out to parent Mrs. Gunzburg, teacher Bruno Thomas and Director of Facilities Terrence Kennedy for researching and supporting the project
  • Growing Connection
    We have completed our first cycle with the Growing Connection, an international educational program meant to create a bond with students in other countries. Students share information about the ecological projects they’re working on with partner schools in other countries.
  • Go Green Challenge 2012
    This project was organized by 12th-grade Student Laura Garinois and students in the 10th, 11th and 12th grades participated. The purpose of the challenge was to raise awareness of our carbon footprint and think of ways we could reduce it. Students were challenged to find alternate means of transportation to the school and give up cabs and cars for walking, biking and public transportation. An estimated 1,693.2 total lbs. of CO2 was reduced by participating in this initiative. Congratulations Laura!
  • Green Cup Challenge 2012
    In our first GCC, which was sponsored by the Green School Alliance, the school was able to reduce our overall electrical use(KWH) by an impressive 8.4% during this 4 week national competition. We placed 2nd for schools that participated in NYC. 116 schools in 22 states collectively prevented 1,567,562 pounds of global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released into the atmosphere in this 4 week period
  • Horticulture
    In 2011and 2012 the school added plantings throughout the school.
    • 6th floor Garden- This project was graciously donated by the Class of 2011.
    • Cafeteria-The Green Wall was also part of the 2011 Senior Class gift that has added a wonderful focal point and warmth to the cafeteria
    • Planters- Installed at both entrances to welcome visitors to the school (2011)
    • Planters- new plants for the cafeteria this year (2012)

    Parents and students interested in Green Resources for education and lifestyle are invited to visit: