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
Recycling Resources
Lunch Waste Reduction
Recycling Sign
How to Collect Food Waste
MRF Field Trip Application
Wastebusters Leadership Circle
Wastebusters-Winners
Custodian Award Application
More Resources
- www.consrv.ca.gov/DOR/rre/kids/Ed_Images/images/FactsGamesCrafts02.pdf
- www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Kidstuff/
- www.alliedwasteservicesofcontracostacounty.com/kids.cfm
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
