As students and educators head back to the classroom, it’s a great time for Massachusetts schools to put environmental education into action with MassDEP’s Green Team!

The Green Team is a free environmental program for K–12 schools that helps students and educators take meaningful action through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, energy conservation, and pollution prevention. Teachers, administrators, school staff, and parent volunteers can register their schools to participate.

Green Team activities give students hands-on ways to make a difference at school and in their communities. Educators can choose from projects such as conducting a school waste audit, starting a composting program, improving recycling, tracking climate-friendly actions, reducing vehicle idling, or tackling cafeteria food waste.

Registered Green Teams also have access to free lesson plans and classroom activities, educational materials, technical assistance, and downloadable recycling and composting signage. Schools may also be eligible to request recycling bins, composters, wheeled carts, vermicomposting worms, and idle-reduction signs and materials.

Make environmental action part of the school year! Sign up forms and free resources can be found at TheGreenTeam.org.

Information on activities and awards from the 2025-2026 school year can be found on MassDEP’s website: https://www.mass.gov/news/massdep-announces-green-team-awards-for-environmental-leadership-in-pk-12-schools.