Read action guides by clicking on the categories below.
Tell us about the work you've done on your My School page by April 22nd.

Four pounds. That's how much trash the average person throws away every day! That's why we partnered with Nestlé Waters. They're working to double recycling rates by 2018. You can help make a difference.

Recycling

• Collect and recycle at least 25 plastic or glass bottles or aluminum cans
• Ask your principle to put recycling bins in classrooms
• Use bright colors and eye catching designs to draw attention to recycle bins
• Create and post posters at home or at school to remind family and friends to recycle
• Organize an in-home recycling center and teach your family how to use it. Have separate bins for glass, plastics, and newspaper/cardboard
• Make a T-shirt with a recycling fact (or facts) on it, wear it to school and be ready to answer questions
• Write an essay about a positive impact recycling can bring your community; submit it to your school or local newspaper
• Once you are done perusing your favorite magazine, recycle it. Collect and recycle at least 5 magazines
• Create an infographic of visual representation of a topic related to recycling or the recycling process; present it to your science class or post it in your school
• Grab your friends and gather recyclables from a public space. Make sure everything that you pick up ends up in the right bag

Energy

• Talk to your school administration about adopting energy-saving practices
• Encourage your School to become an ENERGY STAR partner
• Educate your friends and younger siblings about energy efficiency
• Create a club that takes action around saving energy
• Encourage your school to put all computers in energy-saving sleep mode
• Explain energy-efficient lighting to your class
• Have teachers and students unplug chargers when devices are finished charging
• Teach your class how to save energy and money on the family utility bill
• Encourage your school to fix leaky faucets and toilets to save gallons of water
• Set up a carpool to school
• Host a lights-out day at your school, and then have people pledge to do the same at home
• Encourage your school to install motion sensor lights
• Sign the ENERGY STAR pledge

Green Agriculture

• Start a garden and grow produce for healthy eating
• Start a school compost
• Host locally-grown snack stands at your school event
• Rearrange your cafeteria to feature local and fresh foods
• Encourage natural plant species to grow in your backyard

Bring It Home

• Turn off electronics, lights, and fans when you leave the room
• Prevent vampire energy and save electricity.
• Use the sleep setting on your computer
• Walk, ride a bike, or skateboard instead of using a car
• Talk to your family about energy-saving driving habits
• Keep doors and windows closed when the air conditioning or heat is on
• Weatherstrip air leaks around windows and doors
• Replace your home’s HVAC filters at least every 3 months
• Set your thermostat to save energy
• Host a clothing swap with friends
• Encourage your family to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover around the house
• Plant a rain garden at home, school or another location
• Challenge your family to conserve water at home
• Buy ENERGY STAR qualified electronics, lighting, and other products
• Post home energy-saving tips through social media

Other

• Green your prom or other school dance
• Start a blog or video blog about the environment
• Make beeswax candles instead of using candles made from oil
• Host a poetry slam that focuses on the environment
• Green the school art room