Little Texans, Big Impact: Join H-E-B’s Annual School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge!
At H-E-B, we believe that protecting our environment is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to making a positive impact through our sustainability initiatives. One of our most exciting programs, the Annual School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, empowers young Texans to take action and make a difference in their communities.
A Challenge with a Purpose
The Annual School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge is designed to motivate students across Texas to collect and return plastic bags and film from their homes and neighborhoods. This initiative not only helps reduce plastic waste but also serves as an educational opportunity for schools to teach students about the importance of recycling and the significant impact they can have on our natural environment.
In 2025, we were thrilled to see almost 800 schools participate, collectively recycling over 6.7 million plastic bags! This incredible achievement demonstrates the power of community and the dedication of our young environmental champions.
How It Works
To get started, your school needs to connect with your local H-E-B store—either by reaching out directly or by being contacted by a store Partner. Official confirmation is required before participating so we can ensure your local store is able to collect the recycled materials. If you haven’t heard from a store Partner yet, your school isn’t enrolled at this time.
If you’re a teacher or school administrator interested in joining, click the button below to email us at H-E-B. Submitting the form doesn’t guarantee participation, but we’ll do our best to accommodate interest and a team member will follow up soon.
Once your school has received official word from your local H-E-B that you are in the challenge, you can begin!
- Collect Plastic Bags: From March 2 to April 3, 2026, gather plastic bags and film. Accepted items include any retail shopping bags, produce bags, bread bags, film, dry cleaning bags, and newspaper bags.
- Keep Count: Students will help track the number of bags collected throughout the challenge. Each item listed counts as one (1) bag.
- Recycle at H-E-B: Bring your collected bags to your local H-E-B store. These bags will be sent to our H-E-B Warehouse for proper recycling.
- Earn Rewards: All participating schools will receive a gift card, with the amount based on the number of plastic bags they collect and recycle.
Prizes and Recognition
Every school that participates in the challenge will receive a gift card as a token of our appreciation for their efforts. The more bags your school collects, the higher the value of the gift card. It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us protect our Texas environment.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We invite our little Texans to join us in this important initiative! By participating in the Annual School Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge, you are not only helping to reduce plastic waste but also fostering a sense of environmental stewardship among students. Together, we can create a cleaner, greener future for our beloved Texas.
Let’s make a big impact with our Little Texans!
