Add as a preferred source on Google

Championing Environmental Excellence

  • 02/01/14

The Hawai’i Preparatory Academy (HPA) - in Waimea (Kamuela) on the island of Hawai’i - founded in 1949, is an independent coeducational school providing a full range of opportunities for students from kindergarten through grade 12.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, HPA was one of only two schools throughout the state of Hawai’i, and one of only 78 schools nationwide in the U.S., to receive the Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) award in recognition of their accomplishments toward saving energy and reducing costs.

“TANCS Steam Vapor has helped HPA meet the GRS criteria as an awardwinning school because it cleans and disinfects without the use of harsh chemicals, reduces manpower and reduces the spread and growth of mold,” says Robert McKendry, CPA and chief financial officer for the school.

HPA started using TANCS steam vapor from Advanced Vapor Technologies in 2007, and applications now include all campus restrooms, showers, dorm rooms, infirmary, guesthouses and classrooms. Widespread adoption has resulted in reduction of toxic chemistries, and significant cost savings.

“In 2008, we spent $3,800 on disinfectant cleaners, and now our usage - and related expense - of such harsh chemistries is basically zero,” McKendry notes.

Additionally, McKendry and his colleagues have identified the following benefits of the chemical-free TANCS steam vapor intervention:

  • Areas are now much easier to clean;
  • Mold and mildew in shower areas are not growing back as fast;
  • Appearance of shower tiles and grout have improved greatly;
  • Chrome sink faucets/fixtures are now disinfected and gleam brightly;
  • Toilets, urinals and divider walls are sanitized and do not smell as before;

“We are deeply impressed and convinced that the cleaning process can affect student health, attendance and learning,” says McKendry. “TANCS steam vapor, among the many other measures we have taken to achieve environmental excellence, has made our school environment better and safer for everyone.”

www.advap.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

Digital Edition