Earth Day activities emphasize composting, recycling, grounds cleanup

Schools and PTSAs around the district organized activities to help reduce waste and protect the environment in celebration of Earth Day April 22. Here are a few of their activities:

Students in the Eastlake High School Environmental Club wanted to do something fun to remind their fellow Wolves that it was Earth Day. In addition to face-painting during lunch, they handed out raffle tickets all week to students who composted correctly. The Environmental Club has put an emphasis on composting this year, said junior Tzvetelina. The members of the club take turns monitoring the compost bins every day during lunch and they have started “Tupperware Tuesday” to encourage the use of reusable containers.

Students at Juanita High School posted a music video to encourage recycling and composting. The school was recently recognized as a Level 1 King County Green School. This video was the second the JHS Earth Corps made to educate students about composting.

Juanita Elementary students and families collected 11,971 pounds of clothing and textiles for Clothes for the Cause. The textiles can be reused or recycled instead of ending up in landfills.

Students at Emerson K-12 hosted an electronics recycling event with 1 Green Planet on April 16. They raised more than $500 for the nonprofit Free the Children.

McAuliffe Elementary students and families brought gardening gloves and trash bags to the school on the afternoon of April 22 to help clean up the grounds around the school.