Many people across the country talk about improving the environment, but the number of people who actually take steps to do so is far fewer. Augusta Prep senior Daniel Hull is one environmentalist who is developing and implementing ideas to reduce waste and increase recycling here at Prep.

As founder of the Augusta Preparatory Day School Green Club, Daniel’s awareness of environmental issues began when he was a young Cub Scout in first grade. Recently chosen as Prep’s STAR Student, Daniel credits his mother, Mary Helen Hull, for encouraging his interest in a green lifestyle. “My mother has always encouraged the green lifestyle,” said Daniel. “Recycling has always been a part of our family’s routine and, as more sustainable technologies have developed, she has made a conscious effort to implement them in our home.” Keith Hull, Daniel’s father, lived in Europe for nearly two years, and as Daniel commented, recycling “is not an option over there. You must recycle.”

So what does the Green Club do and how do the members accomplish their goals? The club began its initiative by encouraging the custodians to use more energy efficient methods during their maintenance and cleaning routines. He also approached the teachers and staff to shut down computers and turn off lights whenever they could. When Daniel recognized that the school was using Styrofoam plates and cups in the cafeteria, he sprang into action. He presented his findings and ideas to Green Club members, and expressed his idea of installing an industrial dishwasher for the cafeteria. He had to research energy efficient machines, convince the school’s administration of the project’s importance, and raise the funds to pay for the dishwasher.

Once Daniel was able to prove to school administrators that going green was in the school’s best interests as well as being environmentally sound, his project received the “green” light. “After researching the costs involved, I found that paying for these expenses cost less than continuing to purchase disposables,” he explained. “Within the first month of implementing the Green Club’s energy conservation methods, the school was able to save $3000 when comparing that month with the same month a year ago.

Daniel is excited about what the club was able to accomplish regarding the new dishwasher. “This is the first dishwasher on campus,” he proudly stated. “The Club had to purchase all the dishes, silverware, cups, two wash tables, and handle the leasing of the dishwasher.”

Daniel is quick to give credit to those who have encouraged and worked with him. “The Green Club has about 12 members,” he said. “Everyone works together when we have a project.” Faculty advisor and Science Department Chair Sheila Owen and Manager of Housekeeping and Cavalier Café Debbie Brown have been especially helpful. “Mrs. Brown fully supported the plan for converting the kitchen, and she has been very helpful in working with the suppliers to make this happen,” he explained. “Ms. Owen has been helpful with all of our projects and has encouraged membership to younger students. Ms. Owen and Mrs. Brown played a huge part!”

The Green Club has held several events to raise funds for the kitchen conversion and new appliance. “We worked at the Arts Fest last year and received proceeds from drink sales,” he stated. “We sold black-and-white pictures of students, through Tim Conway Photography, and have done very well with that. Tara Chokshi, Art Department Chair, and I designed a logo for the club and ordered 144 BPA-free lining water bottles to sell to parents, students, and faculty.” Comfortable with the Club’s financial stability, Daniel explained that the organization has “a nice balance to move forward and pay monthly expenses, although we spent a tremendous amount on the start-up costs.”

Not content to just finish the efforts with his senior year, Daniel is working to make sure that his goals and projects continue once he graduates. “I have been speaking with Ms. Owen about the possibility of solar panels,” he said. “We are the first school in the area, to my knowledge, to really start some of this. It would be good for Augusta Prep to be recognized as such.” Daniel is confident that Ms. Owen and the members of the Green Club will continue the club’s mission long after he graduates. “By sparking interest and establishing a strong leadership base of underclassmen, the club will continue to grow and carry out future projects.” Daniel identifies his dishwasher initiative as “an important step in Augusta Prep’s drive towards becoming a more sustainable campus.”

Ms. Owen sees promise in the activities that the Green Club has begun. “I hope that Daniel’s initiative will continue next year, and Green Club membership will increase as we educate more students and staff about how each person contributes to the problems of our planet,” she said. “We can show them how each person can work to reduce his/her impact. It is up to this generation of young people to reverse the negative impact and solve the problems created by preceding generations’ somewhat reckless misuse of the environment.”