Monday, March 24, 2008

Another Tucson school goes green!

Last month, public school Davidson Elementary achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, rating and received the Congressional Award for Solar Excellence, presented by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Both are firsts for the Tucson Unified School District.

The LEED rating means the school conforms to nationally accepted standards maintained by the U.S. Green Building Council. According to a TUSD press release, the school uses shredded blue jeans for insulation, a hot new trend in green building.


Davidson Elementary School, 3950 E. Paradise Falls Dr., Tucson, Ariz. Photo by Jennifer Tramm.

Using old blue jeans and remnants from the clothing manufacturing process is very environmentally responsible. It reuses a biodegradable material (cotton), so it won't be around longer than we will be.


This video talks about a few insulation options. For the nitty gritty on blue jean insulation, move the slider bar to the 1:00 mark and let it play. Video courtesy Building Green TV.

The school buildings are pretty new. The old buildings, constructed in 1914, were torn down after a mold infestation proved to be their undoing. TUSD decided to build the new, environmentally-friendly school just north of its old location on the corner of North Alvernon Way and East Fort Lowell Road.

Along with using blue jeans to keep it warm or cool, Davidson Elementary also uses solar power and has a recycling club. Additionally, the school has a botanical garden, made possible by a $300,000 donation from then-Vice Mayor Carol West, according to Principal Arthur DeFilippo's page.

Way to go Davidson Elementary!

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