Garbage pickup

Since 2015, Spencer-Van Etten Central School District and the Owego-Apalachin Central School District have partnered each year for the “Fill the Bus” textile recycling campaign. The initiative engages both school communities in diverting textile waste from landfills and promoting environmental stewardship among students.

The campaign was co-founded by Brenda Anderson, S-VE’s District Sustainability Coordinator and middle school special education teacher, and Jessica Barnes, an Owego-Apalachin elementary teacher who previously worked in the S-VE Elementary School. In collaboration with an independent hauler, the educators launched the project to support school-based sustainability efforts and reduce the environmental impact of textile waste.

According to Anderson, the campaign has steadily grown over the years—from collecting nearly 3,000 pounds of clothing in its early stages to filling a full-sized box truck. This year marked a record high, with the two districts collecting a combined total of 7,061 pounds of textiles.

“Our partnership grew out of friendship,” Anderson said. “It has been fantastic to see the two districts work together to educate students, staff and the community about sustainability initiatives.”

The campaign is a collaborative effort, requiring coordination among student volunteers, staff, building leaders, transportation departments, and district administrators. Collected items are transported to a distribution facility where they are sorted for reuse or repurposed into other materials. Proceeds generated from the campaign support Green Team programs and sustainability education in both districts.

“This is a large undertaking,” Anderson said. “But it works because of the collaboration across districts and the cooperation and support of all communities, staff members and administrations.”

Planning is already underway for the seventh annual Fill the Bus campaign. Additional details will be shared with families and the community once finalized.