The Issue: Classroom Paper Waste

The United States, which makes up 5% of the world’s population, uses 30% of all paper produced worldwide, but only 38% of paper gets recycled. If one recycling bin is placed in a classroom—where one elementary student produces up to 99 pounds of paper waste per year—it's possible to save up to 27 trees in one year, thereby increasing recycling by 80%, and helping instill a sense of environmental advocacy in children at a young age.

The Campaign: Recycling Workshop and Bins for Students

If this Grassroots campaign raises $300, then Save Million Trees Organization can host a recycling workshop for one classroom. Each additional $10 donation will fund one recycling bin for another classroom.

During recycling workshops, a staff member brings two recycling bins—blue for paper and red for plastic—along with a bag of trash and books to a classroom. The staff member leads a discussion about forests, the species that live there, and how people use trees, rounding out the talk with what kids can do to save trees. The students then break into small groups and race to recycle their trash correctly, with all children ultimately earning medals for being a good recycler.

To celebrate the launch of Groupon Grassroots, Groupon will provide a $1,000 kickoff grant to this campaign.