On Feb. 21, HISD welcomed representatives from ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell and Tricon Energy to a reception at Lantrip Elementary School where the community partners presented the district with $300,000 in donations to kick start a new recycling program.

The program, spearheaded by HISD Energy & Sustainability Quality Assurance Analyst Stephanie Walker, aims to expand access to recycling within the district. Beginning April 2023, a flagship 20 campuses will be able to recycle cardboard, paper and otherwise unrecyclable plastics like chip bags and takeout containers via Cyclyx’s 10 to 90 plastic takeback program.

The new recycling initiative is a long time coming, according to Walker, who was working to integrate accessible recycling practices into schools independently before community partners stepped in to help. Walker was put in touch with Tricon and the Houston Recycling Collaborative, and together, utilizing Walker’s understanding of HISD’s culture and community, the new recycling initiative was born.

“I do believe that this program will provide an equitable opportunity for our students and help them understand that we have to take care of our planet,” Walker said.

In addition to the logistical recycling advantages that this program will afford HISD, the initiative will also support recycling training, education, and awareness for all HISD staff and students. This includes opportunities like the City of Houston’s I Recycle for Houston Truck Art Contest, through which students can learn about recycling and the importance of maintaining their environment and their communities through creative expression, and compete for the opportunity to have their art decorate the city’s recycling trucks.

Students can enter the City of Houston’s I Recycle for Houston Truck Art Contest here.