Nationwide search for Canada's Greenest School(SM) is on

Winning school will receive a hybrid bus from IC Bus and $3,000 toward the entrant's education

TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - IC Bus today announced the call for entries for its first ever Canada's Greenest School(SM) Contest, encouraging students nationwide to describe how they would make their school green.

Students can compete for the title of Canada's Greenest School by visiting www.CanadasGreenestSchool.ca to submit a photo collection, music, a video, an essay, or photos of a diorama, collage or piece of artwork illustrating their vision of how they'd make their school a greener place. Activities such as setting up in-school recycling programs, keeping lights turned off when not in use, using environmentally smart landscaping and encouraging students to ride school buses instead of driving to school are all ideal solutions for creating a greener school.

The submission should describe how the school shows its commitment to going green, how it teaches its students the value of green living, how it shows its dedication to green transportation or how it embodies the spirit of a greener planet.

"As parents, students and teachers are looking at ways to lead a greener life, school is a great place to show environmental leadership," said John McKinney, president of IC Bus. "The Canada's Greenest School contest will be one way to help educate and influence eco-friendly behavior like riding the bus to school instead of using a passenger car."

IC Bus will select ten Canadian finalists and Canada will choose the winner through online voting. The winner will be announced the last week of May 2010 and the school of the winning entrant will win a hybrid school bus from IC Bus (a $200,000 value), a green audit of their school from a LEED accredited professional and $3,000 to be put towards his/her education. The hybrid school bus awarded to the school is up to 65 per cent more fuel efficient than standard school buses and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 39 per cent.

To get students and schools thinking, here are some tips IC Bus recommends for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and greening schools:

    
    -   Ride the bus: Riding the school bus is a great way to reduce a
        school's carbon footprint. Environment Canada states transportation
        is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada,
        accounting for more than one quarter of the total. Reducing vehicle
        emissions could be the most important move Canadians make in reducing
        greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change.

    -   Use both sides of the paper: Print reports and other homework
        assignments "double-sided" to save paper. By printing double-sided
        paper consumption is halved, significantly reducing waste.

    -   Become a light monitor: Use the classroom's natural light whenever
        possible. When the classroom is empty, make sure lights are turned
        off and computers are in standby mode. A standby setting can reduce
        power over 90 percent, helping to conserve energy.

    -   Pack a litterless lunch: Use containers that can be washed and reused
        instead of plastic or paper bags. In a litterless lunch the only
        items left over should go to compost, like a banana peel.

    -   Recycle: Set up a recycling bin for paper, plastic bottles and cans
        and encourage others to participate.
    

About IC Bus

IC Bus, LLC, of Warrenville, IL, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navistar, Inc. (NYSE: NAV). North America's largest integrated manufacturer of school buses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus(TM) brand buses are sold, serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service. Additional information is available at icbus.com.

For further information: Marshneill Abraham, Ketchum Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]