Tetra Tech is providing a wide variety of technical and management services to support all facets of the San Diego Unified School District resource conservation programs, including energy management, recycling, solid waste, and carbon management.

Incorporating internal expertise, strategic partnerships, District staff, and the student body, Tetra Tech has developed and implemented a multi-faceted resource conservation program. This program has increased recycling and energy efficiency at District schools, leveraged local and state technical and financial resources, and helped to develop curriculum and educate students on resource conservation.

Tetra Tech is working on site with the District to develop and implement innovative solutions towards waste reduction on a daily basis. Program support includes:

• Tetra Tech conducted a District-wide waste evaluation to assess current waste disposal methods and to identify potential resource conservation opportunities. These activities resulted in the expansion of electronic waste, universal waste, metal, wood mixed paper, and beverage container recycling programs and the initiation of a polystyrene lunch tray recycling program.
• Tetra Tech developed strategic partnerships with state and city agencies as well as non-profit and for-profit organizations to support and enhance the District’s recycling and resource conservation programs. Support included providing outreach, education assistance, grant writing expertise, and obtaining donations and other in-kind services.
• Tetra Tech provided day-to-day management of the District’s energy efficiency partnership program with San Diego Gas and Electric. This program supplied the resources to identify and implement more than $1 million in energy efficiency improvements including lighting; Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC); and building envelope opportunities.
• Tetra Tech is currently supporting the District to collect and analyze data to assess its carbon footprint. These data included the District’s energy use, transportation, and other environmental emission sources. The information generated will be used to register the district on the California Climate Action Registry.
• Tetra Tech has led the effort to incorporate green building criteria from the Collaborative for High Performance Schools and LEED ^® into District building specifications, ensuring that all District schools are energy efficient and provide a healthy environment for students.

Highlights:

• Recycled more than 8,000 tons of material
• Reduced solid waste disposal and electricity costs by more than $400,000 per year
• Awarded more than $1 million in grants and in-kind contributions
• Received City of San Diego Recycler of the Year Awards in 2003 and 2006
• Demonstrated leadership in registering and the carbon dioxide footprint