A new school year is the perfect time to build sustainable habits. At Clean Water Action, we’re working with schools and communities to cut down on plastic, promote composting, and move toward zero-waste, and we need your help to keep the momentum going!
Some Simple Sustainable Choices You Can Make This School Year:
Choose Reusables
We can go beyond single-use plastics by choosing reusables, from water bottles and lunch containers to utensils and cloth napkins.
Buy School Supplies Thoughtfully
Choose school supplies that are more sustainable such as recycled notebooks, post-consumer paper, and durable backpacks that can be used for many years.
Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
Ditch the individually wrapped snacks and pre-packaged meals. Bulk snacks and homemade lunches in reusable containers create less trash (and save money!).
Organize or Support a School Supply Swap
Reduce waste and build community by exchanging gently used school supplies, backpacks, or uniforms.
Cut Out Single-Use Water Bottles
Encourage your school to make filtered water accessible so students and staff can refill bottles instead of relying on single-use throwaways.
But our own individual actions won’t do it alone - we need our state and local governments to step up with infrastructure investments, Zero Waste programming, and more!
Take action for policy change:
Advocate for Zero Waste Policies in Your County
Contact your local elected officials and ask them to support composting and waste-reduction in schools and public facilities. Read more about our work in Baltimore in Sierra Magazine.
Support a Maryland Bottle Deposit Program
We’re working to pass legislation that would reduce litter and increase recycling. Add your voice by sending a message today!
Help Schools Stay Funded for Composting
We’ve been working with students and advocates across Maryland to create and support grants for schools to reduce and compost food waste. But the legislature hasn’t passed an ongoing funding source for this program, and there’s no funding for Maryland’s school compost grant in 2025. We’re organizing to fix that, and your voice is critical. Send a message to your legislators today!
Together, Maryland families can make this a zero-waste school year, and your actions today create a cleaner, greener Maryland tomorrow. Thank you for being part of our Clean Water Action community!
