A Green Team is a group of dedicated school leaders and students who are committed to promoting and implementing the school’s sustainability plan. The team provides a forum for interested students to implement projects. For Zero Waste Week, DHS students are working in collaboration with custodians and the district’s Supervisor of Facilities Custodial Services Ron Reed.
“These students are really passionate and motivated to create positive change – one piece of trash at a time,” said Reed. “I’m impressed with their plans for Zero Waste Week and their desire to inspire younger students at our other schools.”
O’Neil said the team’s goal was to first raise awareness about waste, then take steps to actively reduce it. The team conducted a waste analysis on Nov. 14.
“Waste has an outsized impact on the world at large as well as in our community. It creates pollution and harms humans and wildlife,” said Aisha O'Neil, DHS Green Team Co-president. “We believe that through our own actions, we can create a more sustainable future for our school and town.” Zero Waste Week events will include:
- Monday, Nov. 28- Ballot Bins: Trash bins placed around DHS will ask a fun question, like “Batman or Superman?” and students will dispose of trash to vote.
- Wednesday, Nov. 30- Community Trash Clean-up Day: Students and community members are invited to meet in front of the school at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. The goal of this event is to have fun and reduce waste accumulation on the ground. The team will divide people into groups to focus on certain areas. Participants should bring gloves and compostable, eco-friendly trash bags. Community members with trucks are encouraged to help haul trash to dumpsters.
- Thursday, Dec. 1- Poster Competition: This event will be organized by the DHS Green Team members, who will reach out to middle and elementary school students in the district. Their goal is to raise awareness about sustainability and increase younger students' involvement in the district’s Green Teams. Participants will make posters relating to the waste-reduction theme, and the Green Team will set up and judge the contest.
- Friday, Dec. 2- From Trash to Art Contest: DHS students will submit artwork.