EPA awards Virginia district for sustainability efforts

News release: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has bestowed one of its Mid-Atlantic Environmental Achievement Awards on the Virginia Beach (Va.) school system. The district's sustainability achievements that include having the district’s Hermitage Elementary School become the first LEED-certified elementary school in Virginia. Its sustainable features include using a rainwater harvesting system to flush toilets and a solar-heated hot-water system for the cafeteria. The 85-school district also recycled more than 1,236 tons between September 2009 and June 2010. Other highlights: a school bus no-idle policy that resulted in a $50,000 savings last year, and adjusting temperature controls at all buildings, which resulted in $500,000 in savings.