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Why start a green team or environmental club?
Starting a green team empowers students to research, outreach and create direct action in their schools pertaining to environmental issues. It provides the opportunity for leadership while supporting their school in sustainability efforts.
Follow these easy steps to get started!
Step 1- Planning
Who should be involved?
· Students
· Teachers
· Faculty (maintenance/kitchen staff)
· Members of the administration
Consider Leadership Roles
· President – sets agenda, keeps everyone on task, runs meeting
· Secretary – in charge of taking attendance, meeting notes and recording tasks
· Treasurer – keeps track of any money the club has, in charge of fundraising, etc.
· Teacher/Faculty Adviser – keeps group organized, liaison between administration/other faculty and club, manager of greater details
When to meet?· This varies school to school – most clubs meet once a week
· First determine the commitment level of interested students and the faculty advisor(s)
· Depending on what works for all parties involved, the meeting could be before school, after school or even during lunch
· Figure out what time of day your group will be the most focused and productive
Starting a green team empowers students to research, outreach and create direct action in their schools pertaining to environmental issues. It provides the opportunity for leadership while supporting their school in sustainability efforts.
Follow these easy steps to get started!
Step 1- Planning
Who should be involved?
· Students
· Teachers
· Faculty (maintenance/kitchen staff)
· Members of the administration
Consider Leadership Roles
· President – sets agenda, keeps everyone on task, runs meeting
· Secretary – in charge of taking attendance, meeting notes and recording tasks
· Treasurer – keeps track of any money the club has, in charge of fundraising, etc.
· Teacher/Faculty Adviser – keeps group organized, liaison between administration/other faculty and club, manager of greater details
When to meet?· This varies school to school – most clubs meet once a week
· First determine the commitment level of interested students and the faculty advisor(s)
· Depending on what works for all parties involved, the meeting could be before school, after school or even during lunch
· Figure out what time of day your group will be the most focused and productive
Step 2- Getting Started
· Brainstorm a team name (example: Green Team, Eco-Club, Earth Group, etc.)
· Create logo/slogan (optional)
· Decide if you want to focus on one issue at a time or multiple issues
· Have students share their interests (recycling, composting, energy, school idling, plastic bottles, etc.)
· Try to identify the issues or needs of the school
· Invite administrators or maintenance staff to join the initial conversation, they may give some great ideas
· Take a look around the school – can you see any areas that need improvement?
Example: Are students littering? Using bottled water? Where are energy or materials being wasted?
Sorting their trash properly?
· Set goals based on observations. What is the Green Team going to do about these problems?
· Identify action items and goes. Determine how the Team will encourage lasting change throughout the school community
· Track progress
· Brainstorm a team name (example: Green Team, Eco-Club, Earth Group, etc.)
· Create logo/slogan (optional)
· Decide if you want to focus on one issue at a time or multiple issues
· Have students share their interests (recycling, composting, energy, school idling, plastic bottles, etc.)
· Try to identify the issues or needs of the school
· Invite administrators or maintenance staff to join the initial conversation, they may give some great ideas
· Take a look around the school – can you see any areas that need improvement?
Example: Are students littering? Using bottled water? Where are energy or materials being wasted?
Sorting their trash properly?
· Set goals based on observations. What is the Green Team going to do about these problems?
· Identify action items and goes. Determine how the Team will encourage lasting change throughout the school community
· Track progress
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Step 3 -Take Action:
Keep club activities educational and meaningful, but relatively simple and also fun. Check out our School Zero Waste Wishlist for ideas on how to reduce your school's waste. Here are some project ideas to get your green team started: · Create Signs and Posters Students create posters or signs for the library, Town Hall, school or other places in the community to remind other students, family members and neighbors how to recycle, compost or reduce waste! · Write Letters or News Articles Students write to government leaders, businesses, newspaper editors or the school newspaper about the importance of recycling, waste reduction, pollution prevention, composting and steps for taking action · Hold a school tag sale Encourage community member to clean out their closets and support a school rummage sale. Have students bring in one or two items - use this an opportunity to talk about wants versus needs. Profits from this sale can be donated to an organization or used to benefit the school. · Hold a clothing or book swap Promote reuse by asking the school community to bring in gently used clothing and books to swap. Whatever items that are left can be donated to a local thrift store. · Locker Clean Out Day/School Supply Swap Plan a locker clean out event for the end of the school year. Collect unwanted schools supplies and make them available for people who want them. · Conduct a waste stream audit Plan a day to collect and sort through all the schools trash from one day. This will help you determine areas your school can improve. Present your findings to the faculty or student body and encourage them to change their habits to reduce waste. · Educate a younger class Students teach younger students why recycling, composting and waste reduction are important. They will help them set up a compost bucket or recycling bin in their classroom and teach them how to recycle at home. ·Onsite Composting Set up a classroom worm bin or outdoor composting bin. Use the finished product in your school garden. · Start a Recycling Campaign – Is there a specific material you want to focus on at school? Check out this paper recycling campaign or plastic bottle recycling campaign guides for inspiration! · Additional Recycling Collections Collect hard to recycle items through Terracycle or the ARCC · Litter Clean Up Hold an Earth Day (or any day) litter clean up on your school campus · Reuse Bins Scrap paper, pencils, and any other unwanted items get put in a 'Reuse Bin' open to anybody. For more information, please contact a School Zero Waste Coordinator. |
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