Recycling Initiatives
Recycling Matters at BISD
The Board acknowledges that every effort should be made to conserve energy and natural resources. The Board believes that this commitment benefits students, employees, and taxpayers. Policy CL Local
- Look into our Past to Plan for our Future
- Goals & Objectives
- Recycling Projects
- Recycling Efforts (Data)
- Planting Projects
Look into our Past to Plan for our Future
In 2006, Texas House Bill 3693 was created to provide statutory requirements for energy efficiency in Texas. The bill also encouraged school districts to participate and establish goals in energy consumption and recognized the responsibility of Board members, administrators, staff, teachers, and students of the District.
BISD’s recycling program was initiated in September of 2009 through five grants awarded by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in cooperation of the Lower Rio Grande Development Council. The grants were awarded for the purchase of:
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Education materials for Elementary Schools
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Education materials for Secondary Schools
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Bins and Containers
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Large Baler
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Garbage Truck
BISD Curriculum has implemented environmentally appropriate and responsible practices for students conducting investigations in Science at all grade levels, specifically in making informed choices in the conservation, disposal, and recycling of materials. TEKS process standards are followed by grade level and subject.
Currently BISD has three recycling initiatives:
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Commingled (single stream) recycling
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Dual stream recycling (reverse bid)
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Purchasing Recycled Products
Goals & Objectives
Raise awareness on the 3-R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
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Provide educational videos and/or advertisement promoting our district’s recycling program
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Sponsor Annual Art Contest (2023 flyer)
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Host Annual Earth Day Rally (2023 flyer)
Educate and train employees on BISD’s Recycling Program (Encourage participation in recycling and waste management.)
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Provide training to custodial staff as to the process to dispose trash and recyclable items
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Have campus/department designate a recycling “Champion” to help foster a sense of environmental responsibility
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Foster a competitive spirit by publicizing participation (weight, percentage, etc.)
Establish a commingled recycling program that is district-wide
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Place recycling containers to collect paper, cardboard, plastic, and tin at each district campus and administrative building by June 2021
Adopt new rules and incentives to reward those who embrace Recycling Matters at BISD
Involve the community through collaboration and partnerships to achieve Recycling Matters at BISD
Recycling Projects
The Board acknowledges that every effort should be made to conserve energy and natural resources. The Board believes that this commitment benefits students, employees, and taxpayers.
Because of the Board's commitment to conservation, the Superintendent will develop the necessary administrative guidelines to implement a program of energy management and conservation that meets the goals established in this regulation.
Recycling Matters
- Commingled Recycling
- Crayon Recycling
- Dual Stream Recycling
- Purchasing Recycled Products
- Recycling Resources
Commingled Recycling
BISD encompasses 95 square miles and is considered the largest school district in the Rio Grande Valley with 34 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, 3 alternative schools and 7 high schools. When reviewing options to promote recycling and provide convenience, the best option for our campuses was commingled recycling. Commingled (single stream) is a method of recycling which allows paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal to be mixed together for pickup.
In November 2020, the BISD Board of Trustees approved the proposed commingled recycling initiative. Paper, cardboard, plastic and metal items can be recycled at all campuses and administrative buildings.
BISD Launches New Recycling Efforts
Informational Video
Crayon Recycling
Brownsville ISD, in collaboration with the City of Brownsville, initiated a crayon recycling program. Used unwanted (broken) crayons will be collected at every school and administrative building. Crayons will be melted into new shapes and recirculated back to the students.
- Over 100 million crayons are thrown out every year by more than 15,000 family-style restaurant chains across the U.S.
- 112 average crayons equal one pound of waste.
- Made from paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, it can take years (even decades) for a crayon to decompose in a landfill.
- The average child wears down 720 crayons by his or her 10th birthday.
- March 31 is National Crayon Day
Source: Fun facts and a little recycling to celebrate National Crayon Day
Dual Stream Recycling
Dual Stream recycling is also referred to as source separated recycling. BISD has recycled single source items for several years. Paper and cardboard were recycled by the Food & Nutrition Services, Maintenance, Records Management and Transportation Departments have recycled paper, cardboard, and metal on separate containers.
Purchasing Recycled Products
Recycling Resources
Recycling Efforts (Data)
Natural Resources Saved
Commingled Recycling in Schools & Administrative Buildings:
- During the 20-21 school year, BISD recycled 338 tons or 676,845 lbs.
- During the 21-22 school year, BISD recycled 580 tons or 1,160,850 lbs.
- To date (22-23 school year), BISD recycled 400 tons or 800,300 lbs.
Planting Projects
Planting trees in schools provides students with a learning opportunity to get involved in the environment and conservation of our natural resources.
Informational Videos
Trees
2022-2023 School Year
The planting of trees at the BISD locations have been made possible thanks to the City of Brownsville, the Brownsville Beautification Committee and a $40,000 grant provided by One Tree Planted, whose mission is “to reforest our planet, provide education, awareness, and engagement on the importance of trees in our ecosystem, and to inspire action". Source : City of Brownsville to Host 23rd Annual Texas Arbor Day Celebration