This spring, Allen ISD students and staff came together for the H-E-B Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, collecting more than 200,000 plastic bags across 15 participating campuses. Held in celebration of Earth Month, the initiative promoted sustainability, responsible citizenship, and empowered learning through hands-on participation.
Each campus embraced the challenge in unique ways, from classroom rivalries to house competitions and student-led promotion efforts. But they all shared the same goal: reducing waste and making a difference in their community.
Campus Highlights
Lindsey Elementary collected a total of 39,494 bags! Second-grade students contributed 10,657 bags, and Mrs. Johnson’s sixth-grade class went from zero to first place in just a few weeks, finishing with 7,216 bags.
Marion Elementary collected 23,775 bags in its first year of participation. Sixth-grade students took the lead, with standout contributions from A.J. Rutty and Dennis McHale. Together, the two students gathered over 12,000 bags in a friendly competition to be crowned “King of the Plastic Bags.”
Anderson Early Childhood School held a POD-based challenge and collected a total of 20,000 bags. The Pink and Yellow POD led the school effort with 7,050 bags, followed by Red Pod (4,150) and the combined Support, Office, and Purple Pods (4,000).
Olson Elementary collected 19,350 bags in its first year joining the challenge. Tying the effort to its six-house system, Olson encouraged participation through daily announcements, posters, and weekly “Mystery Recycler” videos featuring teachers, students, and even pets. A highlight included a student-led video connecting recycling efforts to the school’s core character traits.
Story Elementary collected more than 12,000 bags through a house color competition. Sixth-grade student leaders handled daily counts, and one first grader, Ethan, stood out by collecting nearly 1,000 bags with help from family, friends, and neighbors. He tracked his efforts using a spreadsheet, turning the project into a meaningful academic experience at home.
Cheatham Elementary, led by teacher Karri Decker and the AIM program, gathered 8,800 bags through a house challenge that tied recycling to sustainability lessons. Students set a goal of 10,000 bags and tracked progress schoolwide.
Kerr Elementary collected 4,770 bags by awarding house points for bundles of 10 bags. The challenge ran alongside a used book drive, generating excitement and competition that shifted house rankings mid-week.
Boyd Elementary contributed 2,141 bags, while Reed Elementary saw strong participation in its first year. The school’s PTA supported promotion efforts, and the student-led Pride Council volunteered to count and manage the collected bags.
Other participating campuses included: Boon Elementary, Evans Elementary, Green Elementary, Preston Elementary, and Vaughan Elementary.
Each campus found creative ways to build excitement, involve families, and make recycling part of daily routines. Many campuses connected the challenge to academic content and character education, reinforcing Allen ISD’s commitment to future-ready preparation and empowered learning.
The H-E-B Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge allowed students to lead, collaborate, and take action, proving that even small steps can lead to a meaningful impact.
Way to go, Allen ISD!
