Cultivating the Green Spirit at ISM: Sustaining and Safeguarding Our Environment

The path to a healthier planet requires commitment from all corners, and educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping environmentally-conscious citizens. As an Eco-School, International School Manila (ISM) has implemented a number of sustainability programs that not only aim to lessen its environmental impact, but also foster a culture of environmental responsibility into the fabric of school life.

BYOC as the Norm

One of the most visible sustainability efforts of the school is the Bring-Your-Own-Container/Cutlery/Cup (BYOC) practice on campus. Disposable lunch boxes and single-use plastics have become relics of the past as students, parents, employees, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable containers for food and beverages when they go to school. This extends to the Kantina (Cafeteria) and Bearcat Cafe, where single-use plastics are not used and served. What initially felt like an adjustment many years ago has now become a norm at the school.
 

Green Thumbs Take Root

In addition to this, ISM fosters hands-on environmental education through its Elementary School (ES) Edible Garden, a living classroom where students learn by doing. They actively support and participate in planting vegetables and caring for the ecosystem. By gaining a better understanding of sustainable agriculture, they acquire essential life skills such as healthy eating and food sustainability.
 

From Waste to Nutritious Soil

At the beginning of the school year, ISM launched its composting bays on campus, which aims to turn the school’s green and brown waste into nutrient-rich compost. The entire school community has been involved in this process through learning about and also taking part in the composting process. Students, teachers, parents, and staff are all assigned specific days to bring food waste into the bays and do the composting, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the community. The finished compost is also brought to the ES Edible Garden beds to be used as fertilizer, creating a cycle that reduces food waste, enriches the ES garden beds, and allows students to learn and experience this process.

Making Conscious Choices

Internally, ISM has taken proactive steps to reduce the use of single-use plastics and materials across all aspects of school operations. By becoming more intentional with procurement practices, the school has decreased its reliance on plastic materials, especially for events.  Now, the school uses digital display boards instead of single-use tarpaulins. Moreover, awareness campaigns have been implemented to promote locally-sourced ingredients and non-meat options to reduce carbon footprint. Some of these include cooking classes as well as involving local concessionaires in the creation of their menus for the school. These seemingly small steps, considering the sheer scale of school activities all-year-round, have resulted in a significant reduction of waste.

The impact of these initiatives extends beyond minimizing waste, as students develop a genuine respect for the environment and a sense of agency in protecting it. Parents, employees, alumni, and visitors alike appreciate ISM’s dedication to cultivating a culture of environmental responsibility. Looking ahead, ISM remains committed to its mission to “Involve our community in sustaining and safeguarding our environment”.  By nurturing a “green spirit” among its students, ISM hopes to inspire a generation of responsible citizens who will actively contribute to a more sustainable future.