Waste Reduction and Recycling
Contents of this page:
Battle
to Ban the Bag (1 hour)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Students are introduced to the controversies
surrounding solid waste. By assuming different roles, students present and
debate their viewpoints regarding a potential plastic bag ban in their
community. To schedule, call Thurston County Solid Waste at 786-5269. E-mail: minionc@co.thurston.wa.us
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Cautions, Warnings, Dangers Oh My! (1
hour)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Students examine labels of household hazardous waste and discuss safer alternatives. The class will discuss safer alternatives, take part in a cleaning demonstration, and compare products. To schedule, call Thurston County Solid Waste at 786-5269. E-mail: minionc@co.thurston.wa.us (12/11) Back to Top
Closing the Loop (1 hour)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
What do the three chasing arrows really mean? By the end of the lesson, students know what the recycling symbol stands for and the importance of "closing the loop." Activities include a recycling relay race and creation of their own recycling symbol. Students are also able to see and handle several items made from the materials they recycle at home and school, including a T-shirt made from recycled plastic bottles! To schedule, call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail minionc@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Demonstration Gardens and Composting Sites!
(30 minutes to 1 hour)
Organization: WSU Cooperative Extension, Master
Gardeners/Master Composters
To achieve earth-friendly goals, Thurston County's WSU Master Gardeners emphasize the use of disease and insect-tolerant plants, proper soil preparation and planting techniques, integrated pest management (IPM), water conservation, and composting. Three demonstration sites are available. To request a guided tour of any of these gardens, contact Thurston County Master Gardeners at 360-867-2162. For more information visit our website at http://county.wsu.edu/thurston
- Dirt Works is a demonstration garden on
Olympia's west side, featuring active and passive composting systems,
common-sense gardening techniques, water quality and conservation
techniques, integrated pest management (IPM) landscaping and children's
garden. At Dirt Works, you can visit everything from our worm palace in
the heart of the compost demonstration area, to the adaptive garden, or
our vegetable test plots. Other demo gardens include native, mixed
border, shade, rose, fruit, rock and rain gardens.
- Closed Loop Park This ornamental garden
is an excellent example of how we can reuse a former landfill site and
is one of the first of its kind in the country. It uses only 18 inches
of soil above an impermeable protective liner to nourish a wide variety
of plants, shrubs and trees. The garden also is home to many test beds
for several "Great Plant Picks", a large composting demonstration area,
native gardens, a quiet picnic area among the beds, and a gazebo for
relaxing. Also located nearby is a play yard for children. This garden
is a cooperative effort of Thurston County Solid Waste and WSU's
Volunteer Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter programs.
- The Farmers Market viewing and demonstrations garden is a reclaimed parking lot developed into spectacular gardens through the use of compost and other soil-building techniques. A solar power collector runs the water pump and other tools. This garden gem shows examples of how to use small spaces for maximum efficiency in gardening and composting. Come enjoy this garden oasis in the city.
Earth-Friendly Car Care (35 minutes)
Organizations: Thurston County Public Health and
Social Services, Environmental Health Division in partnership with the
Washington State Department of Health, and funded by the Washington State
Department of Ecology
For high school Driver’s Ed and Auto Shop classes
Invite a speaker to come into your classroom
and discuss ideas for environmentally friendlier driving. Recycling used
motor oil is one way that drivers can maintain their cars and protect the
environment. Information on drinking water contamination, fuel efficiency,
trip reduction, and hazardous materials disposal is presented
in an interactive 35-minute presentation. To schedule a presentation,
contact Jennifer Johnson, 360-754-3355 x7631 or johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us.
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Project Learning Tree -- Municipal Solid Waste
(45 minutes)
Organization: Washington Forest Protection
Association (WFPA)
Project Learning Tree’s solid waste module offers engaging activities for middle school and high school teachers. Activities examine current topics in municipal solid waste management. Workshops, teacher training, and support are available. For more information, visit the WFPA web site at www.wfpa.org/ee or call the Environmental Education Program at 705-9294. (5/08) Back to Top
RRR
U Ready? (Presentation - 1 hour /
Field Trip - 3 hours)
Organization: City of Olympia Waste ReSources
The OLYWAste Schools Program provides a free classroom presentation and fieldtrip to 3rd grade teachers and their students in the Olympia School District. Mixed grade classes are also accepted.
This two-part program explores waste reduction, recycling and composting. The in-class presentation focuses on how much waste we create, where it goes and where it comes from. Activities include a recycle magnet board game and a waste reduction folding paper project. Presentation is available throughout the entire school year.
At the field trip, students learn about worm
bin composting, the ecology of a worm bin and get to see worms and creatures
up close and personal! The second activity is creating art from recycled
materials. The City of Olympia provides all transportation costs and
activity expenses. Field trips begin in spring.
For more information or to schedule, call Jill Krumlauf at (360) 570-5837 or
TTY (360) 753-8270. Email jkrumlau@ci.olympia.wa.us. Web:
www.olympiawa.gov/cityutilities.
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Shop
SMART (1 hour)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
In this case, SMART can stand for "Save Money and Reduce Trash!" Students take a look at the choices they can make while shopping, such as choosing durable instead of disposable products. The class will discuss packaging and buying in bulk to reduce waste. Students learn how powerful they can be as a consumer by being SMART shoppers.
To schedule, call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail minionc@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Solid Waste Lending Library
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
A wide variety of loan materials, including
books, curricula, and videos, are available for all ages.
Loan materials are available for three
weeks at a time.
For a list of resources,
click here to visit our library page.
To borrow materials,
call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail
minionc@co.thurston.wa.us.
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to Top
The
Magic of Recycling (45 minutes)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Students learn where their garbage goes, and are then introduced to the three Rs and the concept of natural resources. The lesson concludes with a recycling sort game in which students practice proper sorting of recyclables and non-recyclables. To schedule, call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail minionc@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Used Oil Recycling
Organization: Thurston County Environmental Health
Invite a speaker to come to your classroom and discuss ideas for environmentally-friendly driving. Recycling used motor oil is one way drivers can maintain their cars as well as protect the environment. Information on transportation alternatives as well as carpooling, trip reduction, and hazardous materials disposal is presented in an interactive, 35-minute presentation. Key chains and bumper stickers are provided. The presentation has a pre- and post-evaluation component. To schedule, call Thurston County Environmental Health at 754-4111 Ext. 7631. The TDD line is 754-2933. E-mail: johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us (5/08) Back to Top
Worms Recycle Naturally
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Bring wildlife into your classroom! After learning about the importance of worms in the environment and their role in transforming garbage into natural fertilizer, students receive magnifying lenses to examine worms up close.
To schedule, call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail: minionc@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Marketing to Teens
(1 hour)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Teenagers are important targets for advertisers since many of them have high disposable incomes. Many ads are targeted specifically at them and there are advertisements everywhere. This activity helps teenagers develop an awareness of marketing tactics aimed at teens through the creation of their own mock advertising campaigns. They will gain an understanding about how they, as consumers, are influenced by these commercial messages.
To schedule, call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail minionc@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Bottled Water Taste Test
(1 hour)
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Grades 6 - 8
When people are thirsty, they often reach for a bottle of water instead of turning on the faucet. In 2003, Americans spent about $9 billion on bottled water. Why? Some consumers believe that bottled water is healthier and tastes better than tap water. But is this really true?
In this presentation, we will discuss reasons people choose bottled water, and whether the facts support these assumptions. Students will decide if the price of bottled water is worth it when compared to the price of tap water. Students will also conduct a blind taste test to see if they can differentiate between several popular water brands and tap water.
To schedule, call Colleen Minion at 786-5269. E-mail minionc@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Recycling Programs and Waste Sorts
Organization: Thurston County Public Works
Grades K - 12
Our staff is available to help establish or enhance your school recycling or composting program and provide a waste sort. A staff can member will meet you on-site to figure out the best approach for your school's individual needs. Call Peter Guttchen at 709-3013 or email at guttchp@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Trash Talk for Kids
Organization: Thurston County Solid Waste
Grades 4 - 5
This newsletter is available for all 4th and 5th grade classrooms in Thurston County. It features information on recycling, reuse, household hazardous waste, yard waste, waste reduction, and more. The newsletter is informative and offers word searches, crossword puzzles, and other games to make learning fun. If you are a teacher would like to receive this publication for your students, please contact Colleen Minion at 786-5269 or email at minion@co.thurston.wa.us. (12/11) Back to Top
Last updated:
12/14/2011
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