Sustainability Initiatives

BISD encompasses 95 square miles and is considered the largest school district in the Rio Grande Valley with 31 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.

Announcement

BISD Launches New Recycling Efforts

Informational Handout

• 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 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.

Policy CL Local supports the recycling hierarchy of reduce-reuse recycle through minimizing the creation of waste, reusing materials, recycling materials that cannot be source-reduced, and purchasing recycled content and environmentally preferred products. 

Uniforms can be shredded and repurposed to create new items.  Shredding also reduces the environmental footprint, saves landfill space and potentially reduces the use of raw materials.

The project is one of more than 45 that One Tree Planted is supporting globally as part of the Urban Forestry Action fund, a portfolio of high-impact urban forestry projects aimed at planting urban trees to address environmental justice issues such as urban heat, air pollution, and lack of community green spaces, and ultimately help communities achieve tree equity.

“We have a long way to go to reach our desired outcome — a future where all people, regardless of race or income, have not only equal access to the benefits of trees, but equitable access to the resources needed to get us there,” said Tanner Haid, director of Urban Forestry at One Tree Planted. “This project with Brownsville ISD, and the overarching work of the Urban Forestry Action Fund, is a meaningful step in that direction.

Source: Brownsville ISD holds tree-planting ceremony

Proclamation for the City of Brownsville

Recognized as a Tree City USA for 25 consecutive years, Brownsville continues tree planting efforts in parks, trails, and city properties. Recently, AX Benavides Elementary School planted 12 trees with the support of the City's Engineering and Public Works Department, showcasing this commitment.

Proclamation

Benavides Elementary School map

School gardens provide students with hands-on learning experiences about nature, agriculture, and healthy eating.  School gardens encourage healthier food choices by showing students where their food comes from and the value of growing fresh produce.

**Draft** One District, One Community, One Seed Dashboard