Schools Going Green

20 Ways to Help Your School Go Green

We've all heard about schools going green. Many schools are taking steps to conserve resources and teach our children to care for the environment. Check out your local school. Does it make the cut of schools going green?

If not, don't fret. Grab the kids and check out these easy ways to go green at school.

Schools Going Green: Recycling

Teaching children to recycle is rewarding for everyone. Before getting started, see what items your local program accepts. Set up bins near the trash cans. Label them clearly. Try to keep them in the same order in each classroom (ex: trash can, paper recycling bin followed by aluminum and plastic).

1. Start with the Basics

Recycle paper products like computer paper, construction paper, and writing paper. Recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Recycling plastic bottles is easy, but be sure to check what is collected in your area. Most areas accept recycle symbols #1 or #2 only.
2. Recycle Glue Containers

The glue itself can't be recycled, but many of the containers can. Some Walmart stores accept empty containers of Elmer's glue. If yours doesn't, find out how to recycle old glue sticks and bottles at Elmer's Glue Crew.
3. Recycle Crayons

Recycle crayon stubs by melting them into new ones. Or, send them to Crazy Crayons.
4. Six Pack Plastic Rings

Some schools recycle plastic rings through the Ring Leader Recycling Program. If yours doesn't, start collecting!
5. Plastic Bags

Recycling plastic bags is easy, even if your local curbside program doesn't accept them. Gather plastic grocery bags, cereal box liners and outside wrappings from toilet paper and napkins. Drop off at a local grocery in your area. Check plasticbagrecycling.org for locations.
Recycling through Donation
There is nothing more rewarding than giving back to your local community. Set up a drive and challenge families to recycle household goods through donation. Alternate collections by month or season.
6. Computer Equipment

Recycle computer monitors, hard drives and printers by donating them to need based organizations. See our full list of organizations for details.
7. Cell Phones

Only an estimated 20% of cell phones were recycled last year. Check your local electronic stores for collection boxes. Cell Phone for Soldiers collects old cell phones and turn them into prepaid minutes for soldiers overseas.
8. Eye Glasses

Team up with a local optometrist and donate eyeglasses to people in need. Sears and Target Optical collect glasses and send them to the Gift of Sight Foundation.
9. Recycle Clothing & Shoes

Donate gently used clothing to homeless shelters and clothing banks. Old and worn items can be used around the classroom for clean-up or donated to animal shelters. See our list of organizations that recycle shoes.
10. Books & Magazines

Nursing homes, domestic abuse facilities, and homeless shelters are often in need of magazines, books and other reading materials.

Activities for Schools Going Green

1. Plant a Garden

Plant a garden on school grounds. Send fruits and veggies home with students or donate them to a local food bank. If there isn't room on school property, try to adopt a vacant lot nearby. Or, plant herbs and watch them grow on the classroom windowsill.
2. Sun Power

Solar kid science experiments provide a fun way to teach children about the sun's power. See how to make a solar cooker and test one of our solar oven recipes. Learn how to make sun tea, or make a solar energy picture!
3. Arts & Crafts

Let the kids get creative with leftover classroom materials. Recycled craft projects can be made from almost anything. Use scrap paper, toilet paper rolls, or egg and milk containers. Check out one of our favorite recycled craft projects made from leftover plastic Easter eggs.
4. Earth Day

Celebrate this April 22nd by teaching kids the facts about Earth Day. It's easy with these fun Earth Day projects and activities.
5. Natural Cleaning

Make your own homemade cleaners for the classroom. If the children are old enough, make it a kid science experiments day. Mix up some natural cleaners with these recipes.

Field Trips
We all know how important classroom lessons are, but some of the most enriching experiences happen outside of the classroom. Field trips are a wonderful way to teach children about the environment and our communities.



6. Parks & Nature Preserves

Pack a picnic and head to a local park or nature preserve. If possible, walk and check out local ecosystems without using extra gas.
7. Farms & Orchards

Take a trip to a local farm or orchard. Teach the children how much work goes into preparing food for grocery store shelves.
8. Libraries

Take the children on a tour of the local library. Encourage them to reduce waste by checking out books and movies from the library instead of buying them.
9. Landfills

It doesn't sound like a fun field trip, but it helps children understand that all trash goes somewhere.
10. Recycling Centers

Schedule a tour at your local recycling center. The kids can see how plastic, paper, aluminum and glass are sorted, cleaned and prepared to be something new.