Sustainability

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We are working to make New York City Public Schools more sustainable by:

  • Reducing energy use in school buildings to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Providing resources and support to reduce and manage waste
  • Offering climate education and leadership programs for educators, students, and facilities staff
  • Promoting access to school gardens and outdoor learning

Climate Action

As the largest public school system in the country, we have a unique opportunity to connect to staff members and students.

New York City is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a part of that, NYC Public Schools are bringing climate action to our classrooms, buildings, and operations. We aim to embed sustainability in all aspects of our organization.

 

Energy Use in NYC Public Schools

New York City has a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. To do our part, we have programs to manage our energy use in schools.

Demand Response (DR) Programs

On very hot or very cold days, energy use increases across New York City. To prevent power outages, we reduce energy use in some of our buildings. Over 530 buildings are enrolled in these programs.

  • Electricity: 537 school buildings participate in DR to reduce the risk of power outages when the grid is under pressure from high demand (like a hot summer day). We do this by turning off unused lighting, reducing elevator service where possible, or scaling down equipment use.
  • Natural Gas: over 80 school buildings participate to protect the gas supply during extreme cold. We do this to help ensure New Yorkers have a reliable heat source. 

Clean Energy Programs

To meet New York City’s goal to install 100 megawatts of solar on City-owned buildings by 2030:

  • NYC Solar Schools Program: We've completed 130 solar installations on school rooftops. These make up over 80% of the City’s total progress towards renewable (“clean”) energy. More school buildings are actively in the solar planning process, too!

Energy Projects

We upgrade lighting, controls, and/or mechanical systems to increase efficiency. “Energy efficiency” means we use less energy to provide the same service.

  • 400 LED lighting upgrades have been completed with another 149 in progress, working towards a total of 800 buildings.
  • Over 50 domestic hot water heat pumps have been installed, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Energy Benchmarking and Building Energy Efficiency Ratings

To comply with local laws, we use data to identify buildings with poor energy performance. We then use this data to plan upgrade projects, training, and other improvements.

 

Waste Reduction and Recycling 

To reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, we all have to do our part. With over 1,800 schools, NYC Public Schools’ participation is essential! 

We aim to prevent waste by reducing single-use plastics and using data to avoid excess leftovers in our kitchens. We also work with NYC Department of Sanitation to support recycling and composting. All schools are required to recycle paper and cardboard, and metal, glass, plastic, and cartons. 

Curbside Composting

All K-12 schools now take part in the DSNY Curbside Composting program. Schools receive training, equipment, and ongoing support to make composting a success. 

Composting provides many benefits to our school communities: 

  • Food scraps and food-soiled paper are kept in separate containers for pickup, which reduces pests and vermin and keeps our sidewalks clean. 
  • Reducing the food scraps we send to landfill reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. 
  • Food scraps and food-soiled paper are turned into compost, a natural soil amendment, or into biofuel, a form of renewable energy. 
  • Recycling and composting provide an opportunity for hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

Plastic Free Lunch Day

In partnership with Cafeteria Culture, all elementary schools with on-site kitchens take part in Plastic Free Lunch Days (PFLD). Every three weeks, we serve lunches without plastic packaging. 

The PFLD menu consists of foods that do not require the use of utensils. Utensils are available upon request. Plastic cups are still available for drinks, but students are encouraged to bring their own cup or reusable bottle. 

All schools, regardless of grade level, are encouraged to reduce plastic via staff and student engagement:

  • Inform students and families ahead of PFLD and encourage families to reduce single-use plastics while packing home lunches.
  • Encourage students & staff to bring their own bottles & safe reusable cutlery.
  • Lead a "Take Only What You Need" campaign – dispense single-use items like utensils by request. 

    Food Waste Prevention

    NYCPS prevents food waste at the source by using data to avoid excess leftovers, but many students still end a meal with food on their plate. We are working to prevent this in a few ways:

    • “Offer Vs. Serve” allows students to choose what they want to eat, within nutritional standards, empowering students to say “no thank you” to foods they don’t want. When given choices, students may eat more and waste less.
    • We encourage all schools to set up a “Share Table” in their cafeteria. These are designated tables where students can leave specific unopened food and beverage items. Other students may take additional helpings without compromising Federal or State regulations.
    • We have a Food Donation Program that empowers schools to share items left on Share Tables at the end of the day with their communities. Nonperishable and unspoiled perishable items can be shared within the school community or with local food banks.

     


    Education

    The Office of Energy & Sustainability offers a variety of resources and support for all NYC Public School staff, including technical and custodial staff, teachers, administrators, and other school staff. Topics range from energy performance monitoring to air quality to recycling.

    In addition to day to day support, the Office of Energy & Sustainability organizes four Climate Action Days each school year, providing school communities with the opportunity to showcase the importance of climate education and sustainable practices. Every school chooses and creates their own activities for these days that best serve their students and communities.

    The Office of Energy & Sustainability also provides students and teachers with programs and training to promote climate action in and out of schools: 

    Youth Leadership Council

    Each year, we convene a council of high school students from all boroughs. They work to advance sustainability and climate justice in NYC schools and communities.

    Youth Climate Summit 

    At this annual event, students discover climate career pathways and learn about environmental justice and leadership. In 2026, the Youth Climate Summit took place on Governors Island on June 10 and 11, with over 800 middle and high school students in attendance.

    NYC Solar Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program 

    We partner with Solar One to prepare students for the growing green economy. This program brings clean energy and sustainability content into electrical, construction, and engineering tracks at 19 CTE High Schools. 

    Climate Education Leadership Team

    The Climate Education Leadership Team (CELT) is a group of 40 teachers and administrators collaborating on climate education. They develop lesson plans and implement professional development. CELT also acts as a peer-to-peer network to support teachers. Their goal is full and equitable integration of climate education across areas of study and school culture.

    Mid-Winter Climate Institute

    Each year, we host a multi-day professional learning conference for 500 K-12 teachers to integrate climate topics into their classroom lessons.

     

     

    11th Annual Sustainability Project Grant

    Each year, the Office of Energy & Sustainability offers an opportunity for all schools to apply for a grant. This grant awards up to $5,000 in funding or materials for a school-based sustainability project. The 2026-27 grant application opened mid-May and closes on June 22.

    In the 2025-26 school year, 359 schools across all boroughs were awarded over $1,600,000! Congratulations to the 2025-26 Annual Sustainability Grant Project winners!

    Funding for the grants comes from our Demand Response Program. Over 470 NYC Public School buildings take part in this program. As a result, our buildings generate revenue. The Office of Energy & Sustainability reinvests those funds back into our schools. It funds building energy efficiency upgrades and school-based sustainability initiatives, including the annual grant program.

     

    Gardens and Outdoor Learning

    Nearly 70% of our schools reported having access to a garden, park, or outdoor learning space. In the 2023-24 school year, nearly 1,200 schools reported having a garden. These range from indoor windowsill gardens and hydroponic towers to outdoor raised beds. These gardens help to:

    • Support instruction on gardening and the local food system
    • Promote healthy eating habits
    • Increase student consumption of more fresh and locally-grown produce
    • Promote wellness and social-emotional learning

    Access to gardens and outdoor learning opportunities supports the NYCPS School Wellness Policy, aiming to empower strong and healthy students.