Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority

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Free Programs & Resources

CCCSWA Wastebusters Certification Program

The Wastebuster Certification Program has been changed for FY 2009-2010 to include all 46 public schools and private schools within the CCCSWA jurisdiction. Schools can qualify for either the Wastebuster Leadership Circle or Wastebuster Winners awards by meeting certain criteria. Applications and more information are available at www.wastediversion.org/Wastebusters. Staff and consultants will assist schools with certification.

Contact: Lois Humphreys, TRG & Associates

Phone: (925) 778-8803

Email: lois@trgandassociates.com

Grades: K-12 , all schools qualify to certify

 

CCCSWA Materials Recovery Facility Field Trip

Ever wonder where those recyclable materials go when they leave the school? They are taken to the Pacific Rim Recycling Center in Benicia where they are sorted, baled and shipped out to various locations and countries. This field trip will allow students to see up close how recyclables are sorted and they’ll learn why it’s so important to sort correctly in the classroom. The field trip includes an interactive classroom presentation, outside tour of the facility (in an enclosed area), a free recycling bracelet and pre-tour activities for the classroom. In FY 2009-2010, field trips will be limited to the first come, first serve, 12 schools that apply. Wastebuster Leadership Circle schools will have first priority. Schools that are not Wastebuster Leadership Circle certified must pay for their own bus transportation.  Click here for field trip application.

Contact: Lois Humphreys, TRG & Associates

Phone: (925) 778-8803

Email: lois@trgandassociates.com

Grades: 4-7

 

4Rs Power Point Presentation

Enjoy this interactive presentation and follow what happens to your garbage and recycling once it's collected from the curbside. See how materials are transported and processed, learn how to reduce waste by learning the 4Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle and rot).

Contact: Lois Humphreys, TRG & Associates

Phone: (925) 778-8803

Email: lois@trgandassociates.com

Grade levels: K-12; works best in the classroom

 

New! K-5 Wastebusters 4Rs Curriculum

Our new Wastebusters curriculum offers teachers themes, activities, vocabulary and reading resources to teach students in elementary school about the 4Rs. Please send us an email to receive a free copy of the Curriculum. Special thanks to Bess Inzeo, Rheem Elementary school kindergarten teacher and Principal Elaine Frank for developing the curriculum.

 

Composting at Heather Farm - Compost in the Classroom Power Point Presentation

Enjoy this interactive presentation and follow what happens to your garbage and recycling once it's collected from your curbside. See how materials are transported and processed, learn how to reduce waste by learning the 4Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle and rot), and take a look at a worm composting bin and a variety of recycled products.

Contact: Lois Humphreys, TRG & Associates

Phone: (925) 778-8803

Email: lois@trgandassociates.com

Grade levels: K-12; works best in the classroom

 

CCCSWA Composting Workshops

CCCSWA provides interactive, hand-on composting workshops in the classroom for middle and high school students. Students learn composting techniques that can be applied both at school and at home.

Contact: Bart Carr

Phone: (925) 906-1801, ext. 104

Email: bart@wastediversion.org

Grade levels: 7-12

 

Gardens at Heather Farms – Compost in the Classroom

The Gardens at Heather Farms education staff offers FREE classroom instruction on composting and vermicomposting for K-5 classes. Classes are “Do the Rot Thing: Soils and Composting: and “Wonderful Worms”. Hurry and sign up for these fun, one hour workshops as a limited number of free classes are available.

Contact: Education Department

Phone: (925) 947-6712

Website: www.gardenshf.org

Email: info@gardenshf.org

Grade levels: K-5

 

CCCSWA Lunchtime Presentations

Do you ever find that you and your students are confused about what’s recyclable and what isn’t? How can we reduce lunch packaging waste and maximize what goes in the recycling bin? How can we use food waste to compost or vermicompost? Our presenter runs through what can and can’t be recycled on school campuses in a fun and interactive way. We will also help teach students to be the teachers at lunchtime for a really efficient lunchtime recycling program.

Contact: Lois Humphreys, TRG & Associates

Phone: (925) 778-8803

Email: lois@trgandassociates.com

Grades: K-8 Elementary and middle school students

 

CCCSWA Waste Audits

Want to learn how effective your recycling program is? What materials are still being thrown away on campus that are recyclable/compostable? CCCSWA staff works with student groups to conduct waste audits ranging from 1-2 hours, depending on time available and the level of student interest. Students sort through, categorize, and weigh materials found in the school’s garbage. The audit concludes with an age-appropriate discussion about the benefits of reducing waste and recycling.

Contact: Lois Humphreys, TRG & Associates

Phone: (925) 778-8803

Email: lois@trgandassociates.com

Grades: 15 students maximum; Grades 5-12

 

Earth Team – Cool Schools

Earth Team invites your school to join the Cool Schools Student Global Warming Campaign. Learn about global warming, the connection between waste reduction and climate change, and take action at your school to educate other students and create change.

Contact: Earth Team Representative

Phone: (510) 704-4030

Website: www.earthteam.net

Grades: High school

 

Junkology 

Creative Reuse of Manmade Refuse Dr. Recycle brings his wacky ideas to schools to inspire students to be creative in reusing household junk. Dr. Recycle has over 50 project ideas that are age appropriate for kindergarten - grade 8. Workshop highlights include:

  • Project materials are generally free (collected from home)
  • Projects are assembled using only scissors and hole punches (no messy glues)
  • Students participate hands-on and take home a project
  • Kids have a lot of fun
  • Dr. Recycle’s hands-on approach is seasoned with TLC formula (Think-Laugh-Create), and it works!
  • Dr. Recycle will offer Junkology workshops to CCCSWA schools from October 27 through November 24, 2009.

Contact: Oliver Samonte, Artist

Phone: (604) 420-2261

Website: www.junkology.com

Email: oliver@junkology.com

Grades: K-8

 

EarthCapades

EarthCapades’ teams of “Wastebusters” are back with a new adventure for this year! Learn simple things everyone can do to reduce waste at school and at home, conserve natural resources, enjoy nature, and live in balance with Planet Earth. Highly developed skills, including juggling, singing, magic, comedy, storytelling and music, keep students and teachers on the edge of their seats while reinforcing your school's Wastebusters program. The audience participates throughout the show while learning the 4R's: REDUCE the amount of trash we create and resources we use, REUSE everyday products, RECYCLE properly, ROT food scraps into compost and respect Planet Earth. Students of all learning styles respond to a blend of live action, multi-media, facts, pictures, music and tricks. EarthCapades' “Waste Reduction Production” teaches that "Saving the Planet can be Fun!” Even if you have seen this show before, sign up again – the performers and materials have changed!

Contact: Hearty

Phone: (650) 557-4258

Web Site: www.earthcapades.com

Email: juggle@Earthcapades.com

Grades: K-8

 

Funding Factory

Phone: (888) 883-8237

Web Site: www.fundingfactory.com

Email: info@fundingfactory.com

Description: FundingFactory is a free fundraising program to help educational and nonprofit organizations get the equipment or cash they need. Recycle cell phones and printer cartridges, earn points and use them to purchase needed supplies through the Rewards Catalog, or turn them into cash for your organization.

 

Wireless Fundraiser.com

Phone: (800) 364-0258

Web Site: WirelessFundraiser.com

Email: CustomerService@WirelessFundraiser.com

Description: WirelessFundraiser.com enables organizations to raise funds by recycling old wireless cell phones.

 

Walnut Creek Recycling Center

Phone: (925) 937-4992

Address: 480 Lawrence Way, Walnut Creek

Web Site: www.wm.com/Templates/FAC4552/index.asp

Description: Materials accepted - paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastics (No. 1 - 5 & 7), metal cans & scrap, glass containers, yard clippings/clean wood, used books, motor oil and antifreeze. No styrofoam, electronic equipment, furniture, or garbage accepted. For buy-back, materials accepted include: aluminum cans, and glass and plastic containers with CRV. Inquire about buy-back values at the center.

 

Alameda County Computer Resource Center

Phone: (510) 528-4052

Address: 1501 Eastshore Hwy, Berkeley

Web Site: www.accrc.org

Hours: 10 am – 5 pm weekdays, 12 pm – 5 pm Saturdays, Closed Sundays

Description: To recycle your electronic equipment (TVs, computers, monitor, VCRs, etc), bring it to the ACCRC during open hours (no appointment is needed), or call to schedule a pickup. ACCRC charges a fee for most items.

 

E-Recycling of California

Phone: (800) 795-0993

Web Site: www.erecyclingofcalifornia.com/

Email: info@erecyclingofcalifornia.com

Description: E-Recycling of California accepts computers, peripherals, office equipment and all electronics.

 

Central Contra Costa Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility

Phone: (800) 646-1431

Address: 4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez

Web Site: www.centralsan.org

Email: webmail@centralsan.dst.ca.us

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pm

Description: CCCSD helps prevent pollution to our environment by providing quick and easy disposal and recycling of HHW for residents and small businesses. Materials accepted include: batteries, fluorescent bulbs and tubes, fertilizers, pesticides, glues, paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, batteries, cleaners and more.

 

Hazardous Waste Recycling Collectors

Phone: (408) 390-1582

Contact: Andrea Rodriguez

Web Site: www.aercrecycling.com

Description: This collector provides on-site collection services of the following materials: batteries (all types), fluorescent lamps and tubes, electronics (i.e. computers, printers, monitors, televisions, etc), and mercury thermostats and thermometers.

 

Universal Waste Management

Phone: (888) 832-5935

Contact: Jake Cherry

Description: This collector provides on-site collection services of the following materials: batteries (all types), fluorescent lamps and tubes, electronics (i.e. computers, printers, monitors, televisions, etc), and mercury thermostats and thermometers.

 

Books for the Barrios

Phone: (925) 687-7701

Address: 2350 Suite D Whitman Road, Concord

Web Site: www.booksforthebarrios.com

Email: joinus@booksforthebarrios.com

Description: Accepts donations of text books, games, school supplies, and computers for distribution to Third World Countries.

 

East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse

Phone: (510) 547-6470

Address: 6713 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley

Web Site: www.east-bay-depot.org

Email: depotwebsite@yahoo.com

Hours: 11-6 Tues-Sun

Description: The East Bay Depot is a nonprofit devoted to getting people to reuse materials. Since the early '80s, the Depot has been promoting solid waste diversion and resource conservation by collecting and redistributing reusable materials for education, arts & crafts, and a wide variety of other creative projects. Teachers can come in and buy these salvaged items at a very low cost for use in their classrooms. Schools can also donate the following materials:

  • Games, Puzzles, Toys and Athletic Equipment
  • Classroom Materials
  • Books, Magazines, Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
  • Computers (Pentium I or better)

 

Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT)

Phone: (408) 451-1420

Address: 1355 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose

Web Site: www.raft.net

Email: raft@raft.net

Hours: 10:30 - 5:30 (Tues, Wed, Fri), 10:30 - 7:00 (Thurs), 9:30 - 4:00 (Sat)

Description: RAFT is a non-profit organization providing high quality business discards to Bay Area teachers at extremely low costs. Where manufacturers see cut-offs, punch-outs, and leftover bits and pieces. RAFT sees materials that can be transformed into creative, hands-on learning activities and educational kits that allow every student in a classroom to learn by doing. Items RAFT carries include, but are not limited to:

  • Computers
  • Office Supplies and Equipment
  • Manufacturer Discards
  • Science Equipment
  • Outdated Promotional Items
  • And Much More

 

Wastebusters Resources

  

 

More Resources 

 

For more information on these resources in the Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Walnut Creek, San Ramon Valley and Mt. Diablo Unified School Districts, contact: TRG & Associates Lois Humphreys (925) 778-8803 lois@trgandassociates.com