This is a two-part demonstration of fun, learning activities by educators from California and Arizona.
Session 1: Contamination Elimination through Education
Arizona teachers will challenge you in an activity to help address recycling contamination. They work with multiple municipalities in an agreement with the Environmental Education Exchange. In Arizona, two municipalities start as early as Kindergarten. Following this presentation, participants will be able to understand the challenges of designing and implementing programs for school students about the 3Rs, waste diversion and how to “recycle it right”.
Session 2: Communication to Grow Zero Waste Champions
Through an “Environmental Jeopardy” game, learn how Castro Valley Sanitary District (CVSan) communicates with schools in guiding students and teachers to become zero waste champions. CVSan has worked with schools for more than 20 years on waste reduction, and the results are impressive as schools have now exceeded an average diversion rate of more than 80 percent and have reduced their garbage by more than 60 percent (by volume) since 2007. Communication is at the center of CVSan’s work with schools with programs such as 4Rs field trips, refresher assemblies, waste audit reports, Zero Waste Week events, print advertisements, web video advertisements and social media. Following this presentation, participants will be able to list components that work together to reach and inspire teachers and students each school year and duplicate some of those components in their own communities.