D65 Sustainability Update: Oct '24

Calling all Evanston middle schoolers! The City of Evanston is accepting original design submissions for the 3rd Annual Recycling Truck Design Contest. In honor of America Recycles Day (November 15), middle school students are asked to create an original design highlighting highlighting why “Batteries are dangerous to put in recycling carts.” Why batteries? The Battery Stewardship Act became law this August and encourages the proper reuse and recycling of batteries. Learn more about responsible battery use.

The public will vote on the designs October 21-25; the winning design will be displayed on a City of Evanston recycling truck. The winning design will adorn an Evanston recycling truck!

Participation info: Designs must be submitted by Fri., Oct. 18, more information and entry details at cityofevanston.org/D65recycles.

Image: 2023 Winning Art Design by Isabel Morales, 7th Grader at Chute

D65 students are currently served by one (1) electric school bus for our Head Start Program, learn more.

In the Spring 2024, US EPA Clean School Bus Program Awards awarded STA (Positive Connections) with $12,187,254 for 32 all electric school buses for five school districts they're serving in Illinois and Wisconsin including District 65. As part of the grant award, D65 students will be served by 10 electric school buses starting in the 25-26 school year.

By the end of the 25-26 school year, we will have 11 electric school buses (approximately 25% of buses) serving our D65 students. Our District is excited for our students and community to have access to quite, clean operating electric school buses and improved air quality.

D65 is continuing to explore and apply for grant opportunities with our bus companies as we strive to continue expanding the number of Electric School Buses serving our D65 students.

Starting in October, we'll be kicking off our efforts to built our first D65 Sustainability / Climate Action Plan.

During the month of September, we built a cross functional team of 30+ members including racially and culturally diverse backgrounds from D65 schools, departments / teams, students and community partners who will participate in the development of the sustainability plan.

All are welcome to join!

Join Zoom Meeting: https://district65.zoom.us/j/5239615597?omn=83805753367

Know it's that time of year where we look forward to setting up the Rubicon Trash or Treasure candy wrapper recycling boxes in our schools. Unfortunately we found out this free recycling program has been put on pause by Rubicon this year, learn more. Welcome any suggestions on free candy wrapper recycling programs we can explore for our schools.

Please update your school contacts for climate action and school garden this school year (button below).

Calling all SWANCC member communities....Schools, Libraries, and now, Nonprofits are all available to apply for a $500 Waste Reduction Grant!

Do you have an idea for Waste Reduction and need a bit of financial support? Don't wait, apply for a grant today! Need more time to be creative and think through your initiative? No problem. Based on funding availability, applications are now accepted all year!

Waste Grant Announcement

Waste Grant Application

• D65 Sustainability Website
• D65 Sustainability Focus: 24-25 School Year
• D65 Sustainability and Garden Resources Library
• D65 Climate Action & Garden Community Contact List
• D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 23-24 School Year
• D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 22-23 School Year
• D65 Sustainability Newsletter Archive