HISD ZERO WASTE PROGRAM

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dear Tara,

Get ready for an inspiring journey toward sustainability in the Houston Independent School District (HISD)!

Over the next two months, we will be sharing a 4-part email series, each dedicated to exploring essential aspects of sustainability and providing valuable resources to guide you in implementing a zero-waste mindset and approach in your classrooms and schools.

Learn more about HISD’s progress to date with the Zero-Waste School Program pilot in this interview with HISD’s Energy and Sustainability Analyst, Stephanie Walker.

Read the Interview

HERE'S A PEEK AT WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN EACH INSTALLMENT

Jan 23: DEFINING SUSTAINABILITY FOR OUR SCHOOL

Gain a comprehensive shared understanding of sustainability that will shape your students’ zero-waste journey.

Feb 6: EXPLORING THE WASTE WE PRODUCE

Delve into what kinds of waste are generated at school and explore different ways that we can handle our waste when it leaves our school.

Feb 15: EXPLORING OUR SCHOOL FOOD WASTE

Uncover the causes and impacts of food waste generated at school with resources for conducting cafeteria audits and exploring student food preferences.

Feb 29: BECOMING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS THROUGH CIRCULARITY

Explore the life cycle of products and equip yourself with tools to empower your students to become responsible stewards of the environment.

Throughout the series, you can expect valuable curated content from local partners like the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation (CELF), the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Recycle With Me. Each newsletter will be designed for flexibility, with resources that can be implemented in a project sequence using CELF’s Inquiry-to-Action framework, or as stand-alone activities based on your needs.

We believe that this series will not only enhance your understanding of zero-waste principles but also provide you with practical tools to incorporate sustainability into your teaching practices.

We also seek to learn from you so that we can continue to refine a set of curricular resources for wider implementation across the district and beyond. Each newsletter will include a feedback form that we’ll invite you to complete for a chance to win a gift card!

Thank you for being part of this pilot program, and we look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you. Stay tuned for the first installment on January 23rd!