Students

Dream it. Plan it. Get it done.

We believe in the power and desire of youth to make a difference.

Join Green Saves Green and share your ideas, perspective, concerns, and enthusiasm about local environmental issues. Help spread awareness and encourage others to protect our natural resources.

  • Make a positive impact in your community.

  • Stand up for what you believe in.

  • Encourage change.

  • Create a better future.

We are looking for student groups interested in doing these community environmental projects.

  • Drain Art

  • Recycle Soft Plastics

  • Organize a Community Litter Cleanup

  • Organize a Group Tree Planting

Drain Art Project

Many people are unaware some storm drains lead directly to the Pasquotank River and adjoining creeks. The unfiltered water and trash going down these drains pollutes waterways and is harmful to wildlife. How can we as a community educate the public of this environmental hazard? By reminding them with bold art and a message right at the drain.

Steps:

a. Students research and identify the most impactful storm drains in the community. Elizabeth City has an interactive map showing which drains go direct to the river. Students could also contact city/county officials for their advice and input. 

https://elizabethcitync.gov/?SEC=282CE8D6-798D-41AD-A2F5-0D2CDC11B740

b. Select drains to be included in the project.

c. Create designs for each drain in the project. Designs should reflect the message that what starts here (at the drain) ends up in the river. If students decide to put a design in a neighborhood, they should get input from the people living there.

d. Contact the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (or other source) to determine the best non-toxic, long-lasting street/sidewalk paints to use.

e. Do a budget for the cost of supplies (paint, brushes, masking tape, etc.)

f. Present the project to E.C. City Council and/or Pasquotank County Commissioners for their approval to paint the storm drains and to Green Saves Green for funding.

g. Select a day and time then get to work painting!

h. Celebrate your amazing community service project.

Recycle Soft Plastics & Get a Free Bench Made from Recycled Material

The recycling industry is a mess. Only 6-8% of plastic put in recycle bins across the U.S. is actually recycled. The rest is littered, incinerated or put in landfills. There are many types of manufactured plastic; only Types 1 and 2 are accepted for recycling in Pasquotank County. That leaves a lot of plastic for the landfill. This initiative targets soft plastics – bags, baggies, bread bags, ice bags, film, bubble wrap – for recycling with a company called NexTrex. In exchange for collecting 1,000 pounds of soft plastics, students will be awarded a free bench to place somewhere on campus. Green Saves Green will help spread the word and ask its members and others to collect their soft plastics and contribute to your project.

Steps:

a.     Choose a 12-month collection time. Register with NexTrex. Company will send you three collection boxes and posters.

b.     Create more collection boxes out of cardboard or other material if needed. The more boxes, the more you are likely to collect.

c.     Determine where to place your receptacles.

d.     Develop a plan of how often and who will collect, weigh, and report what is collected.

e.     Take photos of your collected bags of soft plastics and upload to the NexTrex website to receive credit toward your total.

f.      Find a NexTrex participating drop off location and deliver your collected plastics.

g.     Once you collect 1,000 pounds, celebrate your achievement.

h.     Work with school officials, a local church, or other entity to determine the best location to place the bench, and see it gets done.

Organize a Community Litter Cleanup

No one likes litter. It’s unsightly, harmful to people and wildlife, and pollutes our rivers. An organized community cleanup will remove several pounds of litter from the environment. Must follow DOT guidelines. If it’s a busy roadside, DOT requires students to be at least 12 years old. If it’s a neighborhood street with light traffic, kids as young as 8 can participate. Little ones can clean up public parks. Green Saves Green has all the supplies needed for the cleanup and will be there to hand them out and help out. We suggest this be done in winter or early spring before weeds/grass begin to grow.

Steps:

a.     Determine the number of people you anticipate for the cleanup. This will help in selecting a location and the distance to clean up. (Half a mile vs. one mile of roadside? Six neighborhood streets vs. two, etc.)

b.     Scout the area and select a safe location for the cleanup. Mark it on a map to share with your group.

c.     Choose a day and time for the cleanup. Choose a rain date in case of inclement weather. We recommend no more than 2 hours.

d.     Advise Green Saves Green of the date, location, and estimated number of participants. We will show up with the supplies on the designated date.

e.     Determine each person’s role in the cleanup. Who will be in charge of safety? Who will contact local law enforcement. Who will count the number of bags of litter collected? Who will handle recyclable items collected? Who will contact the local NC DOT office to advise them of the cleanup? Who will request DOT to pick up the filled bags left roadside after the cleanup? (For cleanups on county roads only. Call E.C. Public Works for pick up of bags on city streets or dispose of yourself.) Who will be in charge of water and snacks for the group?

f.      Depending on the location of your cleanup, advise the local DOT office, E.C. police department or Pasquotank Sheriff’s office of the location and expected number of people so they are aware and can offer assistance if needed or patrols of the area to slow down traffic.

g.     On the day of, read to your group and follow the NC DOT Litter Cleanup Safety Guidelines.

h.     Dispose of the collected bags of litter (or arrange for pick up). Take any recyclables to the county collection site.

i.      Celebrate the completion of your amazing community service project!

Organize a Group Tree Planting

Green Saves Green, in partnership with the NC Forest Service, purchases bare-root tree seedlings and gives them away for free every February through our Plant A Valentine event. This event would have to take place in February. We’ve ordered redbud, dogwood, wax myrtle, and two other varieties for 2026, but there is no guarantee what we will receive. Delivery depends on a good harvest. We usually get word in early January and can let you know then.

Steps:

a.     Select a site and get the necessary approval.

b.     Determine the type and number of trees to be planted. Draw up a plan and mark where the trees go.

c.     Advise Green Saves Green of your type and number. We will deliver your trees the day of planting or the day before.

d.     Gather up shovels, rakes, trowels, and gloves for use during planting.

e.     Following your plan, measure and use flags or other tools to indicate where to dig and plant the trees.

f.      Get to work digging and planting. Be sure to water and mulch your trees. Putting a border around the bare-root seedlings using painted rocks or something else is wise. This prevents accidental mowing over of the trees.

g.     Celebrate the completion of your community service project!

A Green Saves Green Membership is free for educators and students!

Student Testimonials

  • "From the start, GSG members were kind, compassionate, and genuinely interested in hearing my perspective as a student."

    Emely Arredondo

  • “Working with GSG provides many opportunities to learn and grow from awesome mentors. It's an honor to be a small part of it."

    Natalie Davis

  • "I learned a lot of valuable technical skills and got to see how a small, grass-roots environmental organization brings the community together."

    Karina Goco