Pomfret School Senate Committee on the Environment

Committee Report on Pomfrets Impact on the Environment

Vice President Nick Fulchino, Chairman

Senator Abby Horst, Form VI
Senator Caroline Shehan, Form VI
Senator Sofie Melian Morse, Form V
Senator Strother Cech, Form IV
Senator Mariella Catalano, Form III
Senator Wesley Yang, Form III

Foreword
On February 26, 2015, the Pomfret School Senate Committee on the Environment (the
Environment Committee) voted unanimously to publish our report on Pomfrets environmental
footprint to the entire School community. We did this with an overwhelming sense of pride in
what has become the culmination of our work throughout the winter term on the Hilltop.
For me, this was personal. I am a fervent environmentalist at heart and at my heart I am a core
believer in making Pomfret a better place, and so to be given the opportunity to lead this
committee in its research has been extraordinary. The large majority of the report you will read is
not a result of me but a result of the committee, and each member of the committee contributed to
this report in one way or another.
We set out to answer the question of just how green the Pomfret School is. Are we doing
everything we can do to ensure that we are leaving our earth better than we found it? To answer
this question, we looked at various aspects of the Pomfret School life. From food in the dining
hall to disposable plastic water bottles, we were sure to spend our time investigating the
problems. What makes this report comprehensive, however, is its willingness to explore
solutions as well. We were not content, as a committee, with raising a bunch of complaints and
leaving it to future senates to figure out. We were determined to look for solutions and bring
some real possibilities to the surface. We succeeded.
As you will read, Pomfret is very much behind the curve. In my preparation for this report, I read
a similar report by Deerfield Academy, entitled its Sustainability Action Plan which was
released in April 2013. Pomfret is about two years behind in focusing on becoming a greener
campus. I look to Deerfield as an example of where Pomfret should be. They are a school with a
clear emphasis on sustainability and environmentalism, and in this 21 st Century, we should
recognize that environmentalism is not an option but a responsibility.
What you will not find in this report is debate over climate change, its causes, or its effects.
Climate change is real, and, in the words of former New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan,
Everyone is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts. Manmade climate change is
real and is very much a part of the world in which we live. No attention should be paid to
deniers. And with the basis that climate change is real, it becomes clear why Pomfret, as an
institution, should be doing all that it can do to protect the environment. It is, as I said, a
responsibility. We talk about leaving our school better than we found it, and I agree, but what is
Pomfret doing to leave the world better than we found it? As the report will tell you, the answer
to that question is not nothing, but in some areas it may be very close frighteningly so.
I hope that members of the Pomfret community will find this report enlightening and inspiring so
that we may come together as a school to combat the perils our globe will soon face.
Nick Fulchino
Chairman
Senate Select Committee on the Environment

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Pomfret School Senate Committee on the Environment

Committee Report on Pomfrets Impact on the Environment
Findings and Conclusions

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The Committee makes the following findings and conclusions:

I. Campus Recycling Plan
Recycling bins exist in dorms and buildings around campus. In Freshman Circle, residents in
Clement House have done a good job of recycling various items, as have Hale and Kniffin
Houses.1 In the Girls Arcades, most students recycle, but there were some recyclable materials
misplaced in the trashcan. 2 The dorm parents of Lower One and Lower Two have done a good
job of helping girls with recycling, but in Upper Two the recycling plan could be improved. 3 In
the Boys Arcades, a significant amount of plastic bottles are used, but the dorm is not good about
separating the recyclables from the general trash. 4 In Lower Three and Four, there are few
recyclable materials used, but what is used is generally recycled. 5 Upper Three and Four do not
have effective recycling plans in place. 6 There is little attention paid to recycling in Pyne
Dormitory, but because they have a water fountain in their dorm, most students have a reusable
water bottle.7
In 2003, Phillips Exeter Academy modernized its recycling program and currently has one of the
more effective programs for recycling in place. According to their website, In addition to paper,
plastic, glass and tin recycling, the school has collection bins for cardboard, batteries, printer
cartridges, cell phones, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and other techno trash. 8
II. Dining Hall Food Waste
There exists, already, a minimal composting plan in place. Hopes for expanding the existing
compost plan have been met with resistance due to the limitations of space. To be effective, a
composter requires a significant amount of space, and right now there is not sufficient area
available for a composting plan of the magnitude some may hope. However, Tony Malagrino,
Director of Facilities, has been talking with an alumnus about a new compost machine for
Pomfret School.
The alumnus works with BEST In Vessel Composters. Malagrino is working on the possibility of
bringing the composter to campus to be employed by the Dining Hall instead of the current
system in which all excess food is thrown away.
For more information about BEST In Vessel Composters see: www.bestinvessel.com

1 Information collected by Wesley Yang 18

2 Information collected by Cynthia Lan 17
3 ibid
4 Information collected by Wesley Yang 18
5 ibid
6 ibid
7 Information collected by Jerry Wang 16
8 Faculty and Staff: Recycling. Phillips Exeter Academy. Phillips Exeter Academy.
Web. 26 Feb. 2015. <http://www.exeter.edu/comm/8879_8895.aspx>.

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For more information about the specific composter Pomfret is hoping to purchase in the near
future: http://bestinvessel.com/our-products/helios/
III. Divestment of Pomfrets Endowment
A movement of sorts has recently swept through college campuses and surrounding organizations
to divest from fossil fuel companies as a means for protecting the environment. Because of
Pomfrets rather considerable endowment as a business, the Committee sought to learn how much
of Pomfrets endowment was invested in coal, gas, and oil companies.
According to Arthur Diaz, Chief Financial Officer:
I dont know the answer to your question. Almost all of the endowment is invested in
private equity funds, which are collections of investments in small privately held
companies. This is sort of like investing in a mutual fund, except a mutual fund invests
in stocks of public companies, and mutual funds are open to anyone whereas you have to
apply to be accepted into a private equity fund. There might be 1-2 small oil and gas
companies in the hundreds of companies in the various private equity funds, but I dont
know. There is no online place you can look it up because these are not publicly
available investments.9
With this information, it is not feasible to assume that by divesting Pomfret could make a major
contribution to the environment because of the relative impact that would have. In the future,
however, Pomfret should look to ensure that the School does not contribute by making future
investments in fossil fuel companies.
IV. Energy Efficiency of the Dormitories on Campus
According to interviews with various residents of Pyne Dormitory, snow made its way into the
dorm during recent snowstorms. While this has numerous problems in terms of appropriate
heating and the like, it should also be of concern that the windows were open enough to allow
snow into the dorm while the heating was on. The implication here is that the dorms are not
suited to withstand cold temperatures. Some rooms in the Boys Bricks have duct tape around the
windows and towels are stuffed into the creases. While some degree of imperfection is expected,
if the windows are not properly shutting this poses major implications in terms of wasted energy.
V. Energy Efficiency of Lighting on Campus
Tony Malagrino, Director of Facilities, reported that there was already a plan to convert light
bulbs to the LEDs (Light-emitting diobe). 10 LED lighting is the most energy efficient and
environmentally friendly method of lighting the Pomfret campus. 11
VI. Institutional Support for Sustainability

9 Diaz, Arthur. Endowment. Message to Nick Fulchino.11 Feb. 2015. E-mail.

10 Malagrino, Tony. Energy Use. Message to Nick Fulchino.4 Feb. 2015. E-mail.
11 Comparison Chart. Designrecycleinc.com. Design Recycle, Inc. Web. 13 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.designrecycleinc.com/led%20comp%20chart.html>.

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Deerfield Academy divided the job of planning and executing sustainability initiatives and
projects into two offices: the Environmental Management Coordinator to deal with regulatory
and compliance needs and a Sustainability Coordinator (who doubles as a science teacher) to
address programming initiatives.12
Currently, at Pomfret, there exists little institutional support for sustainability in the terms of
assigned tasks. While Annie OSullivan may be similar to Deerfields Sustainability Coordinator,
the role of Environmental Management Coordinator seems to be rolled into the job of the
Director of Facilities. A person with the specific job of environmental coordination seems to be
of benefit to Deerfield, and has enabled them to advance in their efforts of sustainability.
Additionally, Deerfield Academy has its own mission statement to specifically address the
environment and sustainability something that Pomfret does not have, or at least something that
was not readily available in the course of research for the report.
This is not to say that no one in the Facilities Department or the Administration holds concern
about sustainability and/or the environment. In the process of conducting research for the report,
it became apparent that Tony Malagrino was leading efforts towards sustainability, such as with
the composter and with transforming lighting on campus. In this regard, Pomfret seems to be
doing moderately well for not having someone devoted to pursuing sustainability.
VII. Pomfrets Place in Sustainability
In terms of other boarding schools, Pomfrets place in terms of sustainability could at best be
described as troubling and at worst described as horribly behind. In 2013, Deerfield
Academy committed itself to sustainability efforts with the release of a comprehensive 37-page
report on the state of the school in regards to sustainability. Alternatively, nowhere in the Pomfret
Schools strategic plan (The Pomfret Purpose) are sustainable environmental practices mentioned,
not even in passing.
Deerfield Academy is by all accounts a leader in sustainability action. A new dorm constructed is
host to solar panels, the dining hall there serves 100% certified organic and grass-fed ground
beef, and everything served in the Dining Hall is compostable. 13 Almost half of the faculty at
Deerfield has taught a course between 2009 and 2013 that sometimes or frequently dealt with
issues of sustainability while themes of conservation and sustainability have been woven into
areas of the curriculum as well as programming for students. 14 A student leadership position (eproctors) has been established to encourage green habits among the student body. 15 The success
of Deerfield Academy in terms of green practices and sustainability can likely be attributed to
their mere commitment to the topic. The Academy has made environmental stability a focus of
their mission statement and hired people to oversee the implementation of their proposals. At
Deerfield, healthy environmental practices seem to be a cornerstone of life there. Such a
commitment is not seen at Pomfret at least not presently.

12 Jewett, Jeff and David Purington. Sustainability Action Plan.Deerfield Academy,

2013. Print.

13 ibid
14 ibid
15 ibid
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Deerfield also enables its students to track their energy usage. The Academys Energy Dashboard
(http://buildingdashboard.net/deerfield/) allows students to see daily use of energy in various
dormitories on campus and is an important part of curriculum and the general school culture
there. No such system is in place at Pomfret, and the Committee remains unsure if there are plans
to set up such a system, but it should be noted that Tony Malagrino, Director of Facilities, was
more than willing to show the Committee statistics on energy usage by dorm when asked by the
Committee.
Choate-Rosemary Hall is host to the Hydro Cup, an annual inter dorm competition to achieve
the greatest savings in water usage for a period of three weeks. 16 No such competition is in place
at Pomfret.
Many independent schools participate in the Green Cup Challenge a challenge that exists to
reduce energy usage on campus. Pomfret, though it used to, has not recently participated in the
Green Cup Challenge.
While some may cite the recent transfer to natural gas and claim that Pomfret is making great
strides towards sustainability, it should be noted that natural gas only marginally defeats oil in its
environmental impact. Saying that natural gas is a major benefit because it is 50% cleaner than
coal is like saying that a C on a test is a great grade because it is 50% better than an E. Natural
gas contains potent amounts of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. It has been argued that if as
little as three percent of the produced methane escapes into the atmosphere, it does as much harm
to the environment as burning coal.17 There is also an argument that hydraulic fracturing, the
process by which much natural gas is extracted, does considerable harm to the environment.
VIII. Use of Disposable Plastic Water Bottles on Campus
Disposable plastic water bottles pose many environmental and health risks to the planet and to
humans. These plastic water bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to certain
kinds of cancers, neurological deficiencies, causing early puberty in young girls, reducing the
fertility of females (and causing premature labor), and defects in newborns. 18 The health
problems, however, dont stop just with humans. Health risks are posed to animals. As plastic
water bottles are not recyclable, they often find themselves at the bottom of the ocean, where
animals see them as food and suffer as a result. 19 An albatross was recently found in Hawaii with
119 bottle caps.20 What may seem a small inconsequential plastic water bottle can cause big

16 "Choate: Sustainability." Archive-Edu: Choate. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. <http://archiveedu.com/edu/c/choate.edu/2014-07-04_4218244_12/Choate_Strategic_Plan/>.

17 Bittman, Mark. "Is Natural Gas 'Clean'?" The New York Times. The New York Times,
24 Sept. 2013. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. <http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/isnatural-gas-clean/?_r=0>.

18 "What's the Problem with Plastic Bottles?" One Green Planet. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/whats-the-problem-with-plasticbottles/>.

19 ibid
20 ibid
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problems. For example, a sperm whale was recently found dead as a result of consuming an
incredible amount of plastic (including a plastic gallon bottle that clogged its small intestine. 21
Plastic water bottles also pose grave risks to the environment. To create a plastic water bottle
requires a sizeable amount of fossil fuel (roughly 25% of the volume of the bottle), which creates
intense risks to the overall health of the planet. 22 Such burning of fossil fuels poses numerous
environmental risks beyond the traditional image of a lone plastic water bottle floating in the
ocean. These bottles are creating long-term effects for the environment.
From the opening of school through February, the School Store and the Tuck Shop (combined)
have sold approximately 1,500 plastic bottles. 23 This number does not include disposable plastic
water bottles purchased off campus and used. According to this data, each Pomfret student has
consumed more than four disposable plastic bottles since the beginning of the year that means
that each student has burned roughly a bottle-full of oil, contributing to the change of the planets
climate and resulting instability.
Other boarding schools have recognized the dangers posed to the environment and to the health
of their students. Years ago, Deerfield Academy eliminated the use of plastic water bottles on
campus. 24 When getting rid of the bottles they ensured that their tap water was as clean as
possible. If Pomfret were to get rid of plastic bottles on campus, the School should make a
similar effort to ensure the cleanliness of the tap water.
IX. Use of Paper Towels on Campus
Studies indicate that paper towels are less energy efficient than electric hand dryers. 25 Currently,
few (if any) electric hand dryers exist on campus leading to waste from paper towels.
Observations of various bathrooms on campus from one in the Monell Science Building to one
in Kniffin Dormitory have revealed a slew of paper towels strewn around the room.
Categorizing the current system as a success would be similar to categorizing the maiden voyage
of the RMS Titanic because it made it all the way to the mid-Atlantic before sinking. Suffice it to
say that currently, Pomfret could be doing a lot more to reduce the unnecessary waste of paper
towels. Look no further than the example of the previous waste of paper napkins.
A four-year senior will be able to recall the old paper napkin holders in the dining hall that
encouraged students to grab a handful of napkins and, in the process of the students overindulging themselves, encouraged unnecessary waste. Eliminating paper napkins would likely be
more environmentally friendly than the current system.

21 ibid
22 ibid
23 Information provided by Matt Rodman, Tuck Shop Owner and Holly Sulivan, School Store
Manager.

24 "Back to Tap Water." Deerfield Academy. Deerfield Academy, 12 Nov. 2013. Web. 24
Feb. 2015. <http://deerfield.edu/almanac/administrative-offices/back-to-tap-water/>.

25 Galbraith, Kate. "The Use and Abuse of Paper Towels." The New York Times. The
New York Times, 29 Dec. 2008. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
<http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/the-use-and-abuse-of-paper-towels/>.

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Electric hand dryers run for between $400 and $1,000. A low-quality hand dryer would not be
beneficial to solving the issue and could create more waste by having students seek out towels in
addition to the electric hand dryers. It can be reasonably assumed that money for this conversion
does not exist in the budget and that the money would need to be raised.

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X. Water Fountains on Campus

There are new water-refilling stations in the Corzine Athletic Center as well as in the Orchard
Dormitory. Similar (if not identical) water-refilling stations are available for $379.00 per
station.26 Past water stations have cost $1,000/unit with the exception of Orchard Dorm, which
cost more money because there was previously no power or plumbing the location of the station. 27
The Committee was further informed that there existed no money to install additional machines,
but that installation would be possible if funds could be raised. 28 In hopes of reducing the use of
disposable plastic water bottles on campus, Orchard prefect Chelsea Cutler 15 informed
Chairman Nick Fulchino 15 that Orchard would be willing to assist any fundraising effort to
purchase additional stations.
Informal conversations between members of the Committee and students revealed a general bias
towards the newer machines for a variety of different reasons, including, but not limited to: a
stronger trust in the cleanliness of water, an ability to refill reusable water bottles, and better
tasting water. It is therefore likely that if these newer water-refilling stations were more
widespread, the use of disposable plastic water bottles would shrink significantly (For
information on why disposable plastic water bottles are an environmental and health risk, please
see pages 7-8).

26 "Elkay EZWSRK EZH2O Water Bottle Filling Retrofit Kit, Unfiltered." Global
Industrial. Global Industrial. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.
<http://tinyurl.com/waterrefillingstationspomfret>.

27 Malagrino, Tony. Water Refilling Stations. Message to Caroline Shehan.21 Jan.

2015. E-mail.

28 ibid
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Pomfret School Senate Committee on the Environment

Committee Report on Pomfrets Impact on the Environment
Recommendations

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The Committee makes the following recommendations:

I. Campus Recycling Plan
1. Prefects should assume the role of helping to make sure that recycling is practiced in their
respective dorms.
2. An effort can be made by future impassioned members of the Senate to encourage more
recycling across campus.
3. More recycling bins can be placed around campus the recent purchase of the dual
recycling and trash bins are good additions to the schools recycling plan.
II. Dining Hall Food Waste
1. The School should continue to investigate the feasibility of a composter.
2. As they did last year, the Dining Hall should send a survey to students about their
preference for sit-down lunch meals so as to reduce the amount of food wasted at the allschool gathering.
3. On a somewhat unrelated note, the Dining Hall should explore the feasibility of local
meat and organic food options whenever possible, and if such options cannot be funded,
the School should identify these healthier and more environmentally-friendly food
practices as a top priority as part of the Healthy Habits section of the Schools strategic
plan (see: Distinctive Boarding School Experience in The Pomfret Purpose).
III. Divestment of Pomfrets Endowment
1. The Committee has no recommendations at this time, only a belief that the School should
avoid future large-scale investments in fossil fuel companies.
IV. Energy Efficiency of the Dormitories on Campus
1. Making every dormitory as energy efficient as possible should become a top priority.
2. Money should be designated towards the execution of a plan aimed at limiting the
amount of wasted energy that dorms emit.
V. Energy Efficiency of Lighting on Campus
1. A continuation of the current efforts to modernize lighting is necessary.
VI. Institutional Support for Sustainability
1. An Environmental Management Coordinator should be hired to advance Pomfrets efforts
of sustainability and create better environmental practices for the School.
2. A teacher from the Science Department should be designated as an environmental
programming coordinator and placed in the relevant meetings at the beginning of the year
so as to allow for environmental programming throughout the year.
3. The Pomfret School should convene a collection of administrators, students, and relevant
members of the Facilities Department to study Pomfrets current environmental impact
and to ensure that all is being done to make Pomfret as green a campus as possible.

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4. A committee on the Board of Trustees should look into investing in Pomfrets sustainable
future to ensure that future students and faculty attend and teach in a school that is
committed to green practices.
5. Beginning with Earth Day 2015, students and faculty should work together to create
opportunities to celebrate the importance of the environment and participate in activities
with the goal of helping the environment (such as planting trees).
VII. Pomfrets Place in Sustainability
1. Pomfret should work to create an Energy Dashboard, like the one used by Deerfield
Academy. Ideally, one would be able to track the energy use of each building on campus,
and, like at Deerfield, this information could be used in courses and for general
knowledge. It would also be beneficial for challenges among the dorms aimed at
reducing the amount of energy consumed.
a. For the 2015-2016 School Year, energy usage should become an integral part of
the House Cup, rewarding the dorms that save the most energy.
2. For the 2015-2016 School Year, Pomfret should participate in the Green Cup Challenge.
3. Pomfrets place in terms of sustainability and environmentalism will be elevated if the
institutional support required is created. For ideas related to those issues, see the
previous section.
VIII. Use of Disposable Plastic Water Bottles on Campus
1. Given the numerous health risks posed by disposable plastic water bottles, Pomfret
should begin giving each new student a reusable plastic water bottle.
2. By the commencement of the 2017-2018 School Year, disposable plastic water bottles
should be eliminated from the School Store and the Tuck Shop.
IX. Use of Paper Towels on Campus
1. Students should work to raise funds for the installation of hand dryers.
2. Paper towels should be eliminated from Pomfret bathrooms by the 2017-2018 School
Year, or earlier. Students will need to play a role in making sure money is raised to make
this feasible.
X. Water Fountains on Campus
1. Beginning this year, each senior class should donate at least one of the new water
refilling stations to the School.
2. Immediately, students should begin to fundraise for the installation of additional water
refilling stations. The Environment Committee hopes to raise enough money for another
station by the end of the year.

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