8 Earth Day Fundraising Ideas for Schools

What is Earth Day?

Earth Day happens every year on April 22, and it’s all about showing love to our planet. It started back in 1970, when millions of people came together to speak up about pollution and protecting nature. That moment kicked off big changes, like new environmental laws and a growing focus on caring for the Earth. 



These days, Earth Day is celebrated around the world through cleanups, tree plantings, and eco-friendly projects. It’s a great way to remind everyone, especially students, that small actions can make a big impact when it comes to protecting the place we all call home.

The Importance of Earth Day Fundraising

Earth Day fundraising helps schools raise money while teaching students how to care for the world around them. It turns classroom conversations about recycling, pollution, and conservation into hands-on experiences. 

Students learn how their efforts (big or small) can create real change in their community. Families get involved too, supporting causes that promote healthy habits and sustainable choices. 

These fundraisers also give schools the chance to highlight eco-friendly values and inspire long-term habits. It’s a chance to build school spirit, boost awareness, and support important programs, all while doing something good for the planet. It’s fundraising with purpose and heart.

How Schools Can Use Honey Helps for an Earth Day Fundraiser

Looking for an Earth Day fundraiser that’s easy, profitable, and planet-friendly? Honey Helps is a sweet way to go. We offer U.S.-sourced raw honey, shipped directly to supporters with no upfront costs. 

Schools earn 50% profit on every bottle, and our honey is a natural, sustainable product that fits right in with Earth Day values. Plus, our web app makes it super simple to track sales and manage your fundraiser from start to finish. 

No gimmicks, no waste, just one clean, healthy product people actually want. It's a fresh take on fundraising and a perfect fit for Earth Day.

8 Earth Day School Fundraiser Ideas

Planning an Earth Day fundraiser is a great way to raise money and get your school community thinking about real-world ways to help the planet. When you bring students, families, and neighbors together around a shared goal, amazing things can happen. 

The best part? Earth Day fundraisers can be fun, hands-on, and educational all at once. From creative projects to simple collection drives, here are eight ideas your school can try this spring.

Host a Recycling Drive Fundraiser

Kick things off with a recycling drive that turns trash into treasure. Set up collection bins around the school or at a community event and ask families to bring in items like cans, bottles, or cardboard. You can even turn in certain materials at local recycling centers for cash. This kind of fundraiser helps students see how their everyday actions can reduce waste and raise money at the same time. Make it fun with class competitions or themed days, and turn sorting into a team effort that builds excitement and school spirit.

Design and Sell Custom Earth Day T-Shirts

Take that school pride and turn it into wearable art. Have students design Earth Day-themed t-shirts and hold a vote for the winning design. Then, sell the shirts to raise funds and spread awareness at the same time. It’s a chance for students to get creative and use their voice to support something they believe in. Parents and teachers will love wearing something that shows their support for both the school and the planet. Plus, t-shirts make great keepsakes and conversation-starters long after Earth Day has passed.

Plant Trees for Donations

A tree-planting fundraiser is a simple way to leave a lasting mark. Ask for donations in exchange for planting trees on or near school grounds, or team up with a local park district or nonprofit for a larger community effort. Students can get their hands dirty and feel proud of what they’re building. It’s something real, something green, and something that will grow right along with them. You could even offer small certificates or thank-you notes to donors as a way to celebrate their contribution.

Sell Seeds & DIY Growing Kits

Want something a little smaller but just as meaningful? Try selling seed packets or create fun DIY growing kits that students and families can take home. These could include small pots, soil, seeds, and instructions for growing herbs, flowers, or veggies. It’s a great way to encourage healthy habits and spark an interest in gardening. You can even tie in science lessons or track plant growth as a classroom project. This fundraiser is hands-on, educational, and perfect for springtime.

Run a Plastic Shopping Bag Collection Drive

Too many plastic bags end up in landfills or scattered across neighborhoods. Give them a second life through a collection drive. Work with local recycling programs that accept soft plastics, or research companies that turn bags into park benches or reusable products. Offer small prizes for students who bring in the most bags, and watch participation grow. This idea helps build awareness about plastic waste while turning a common item into something more meaningful.

Organize an E-Waste Collection Event

Old phones, dead batteries, tangled cords, things most people have these things stuffed in drawers. Hosting an e-waste collection day gives families a safe place to drop off electronics and helps reduce toxic waste in landfills. Partner with a certified e-waste recycling company to handle the materials, and turn the event into a learning opportunity. Students can make posters or announcements explaining the impact of e-waste and why it matters. It’s a great way to combine service and science.

Host a Healthy & Organic Bake Sale

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? Give your classic bake sale an Earth Day twist by focusing on organic or locally-sourced ingredients. Encourage families to make items using natural sweeteners, whole grains, or even honey—hey, we know a great source for that! 



Label ingredients clearly and create colorful signs that explain how these treats are better for you and better for the planet. You could even include recipe cards to inspire healthy baking at home.

Hold a Used Book Sale Fundraiser

Wrap things up with a fundraiser that’s all about sharing stories. Ask students, teachers, and families to donate gently used books, and then host a big book sale during Earth Week. Not only do you raise money, but you give books a second life and keep them out of the trash. It’s a perfect fit for schools that love to promote literacy and sustainability at the same time. You can even set up a cozy reading corner to make the event feel extra special.

Start Your Earth Day Fundraiser Today!

There’s no better time to rally your school around a cause that’s fun, meaningful, and good for the planet. Earth Day brings the perfect mix of learning and action, and fundraisers built around it give students the chance to lead and make a difference. 

And if you’re looking for a simple, high-profit fundraiser that fits right into the Earth Day vibe, Honey Helps is ready to team up. Our U.S.-sourced raw honey is natural, sustainable, and ships straight to your supporters. With no upfront costs, no hassle, and 50% of all profits remaining with your school or organization, Honey Helps makes it easy to run a fundraiser that’s sweet, simple, and seriously rewarding.

So go ahead. Make this Earth Day one to remember. Start planning your fundraiser today and let Honey Helps put the FUN back in FUNdraising.