CCCSWA - Wastebusters General Resources

The CCCSWA and its contractor, TRG & Associates, offer technical assistance and funding to implement and/or enhance school recycling programs in its service area. Below is a list of waste reduction and recycling resources available to local elementary and middle schools in the CCCSWA service area. Selecting activities from this list can count toward Wastebusters certification. TRG and the CCCSWA are responsible for the coordination and organization of the workshops and assemblies listed below.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) provides free curriculum to educators to encourage students to reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot in the classroom and at home. Visit the CIWMB website at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/schools/curriculum/ to access curriculum on the following topics:

Title	Description	Intended Audience	VHS	DVD
Composting Cooks	Learn about the basics of composting with the help of Orinda Intermediate students.	E, M		√
Kids Talking Trash	In this video, Alameda County youngsters learn how to make lass garbage by practicing the four R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot.	E	√
EarthTeam Video Project: Our Schools Our Planet 2005	Learn about local school littering problems and the benefits of reducing waste and recycling through a variety of locally produced student video projects. Includes 8 entertaining and educational short films with a total running length of 37 minutes.	E, M, H		√
EarthTeam Video Project: Our Schools Our Planet 2006	This is a follow up to the successful 2005 project on waste reduction and recycling. Includes 6 entertaining and educational short films (including one on how recyclables are processed at a local recycling facility). Has a total running length of approx. 30 minutes.	E, M, H		√
EarthTeam Video Project: Our Schools Our Planet 2007	The final installment in EarthTeam’s trilogy of school waste reduction and recycling films. Has a total running length of approx. 30 minutes.	E, M, H		√
Monte Vista High School Recycling PSA	Learn about why it’s important to recycle (from the can’s mouth) in this clever PSA	E, M, H	√
Recycle Man	Recycle Man comes to the rescue to teach students what can and can’t be recycled.	E, M	√	√

Description: 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 using the 4Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot), and take a look at a variety of recycled products.

Description: Do you ever find that you, or your students, are confused about what’s recyclable and what isn’t? If so, this presentation is for you! Designed for lunchtime periods, CCCSWA staff runs through what can and can’t be recycled on school campuses in a fun and interactive way. Best of all, teachers don’t have to give up any class time to have students participate!

Description: Want to learn how effective your recycling program is? What materials are still being thrown away on campus that are recyclable/compostable? CCCSWA staff can work with classes and student groups of all age levels to conduct waste audits ranging from 1-4 hours, depending on time availability and the level of student interest. Students work with CCCSWA staff to 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. The CCCSWA offers only 10 waste sorts each school year so sign up now!

Description: The CCCSWA provides interactive, hands-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.

Description: The Gardens at Heather Farms education staff offers free classroom instruction on composting and vermicomposting for K-5 classes within the CCCSWA service area. Hurry and sign up for these fun, one hour workshops as a limited number of free classes are available:

Dig in and investigate the secrets of soil as we learn the "rotten truth" about decomposition, solve a compost critter mystery, cook up a compost experiment and discover our role in conserving this precious resource.

Through experiments and observation we'll investigate the hidden life of this fascinating recycler and create a classroom worm bin.

Description: 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 12. Workshop highlights include:

Description: EarthCapades’ teams of “Waste Busters” are back with a new adventure for 2006-2007! 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!”

Description: This assembly emphasizes the importance of recycling and celebrates innovation. ZunZun performs on instruments of the Americas derived in their native cultures from recycled materials, such as the steel drum, the marimbula and cajon. Students play these instruments throughout the assembly and create a "batucada", or samba band with instruments made from recycled materials. Students are encouraged to become innovative in their perspectives of recycling. Available bilingually (Spanish-English) or English only. ZunZun has been performing music of the Americas since 1992 in North, Central and South America. They are winners of many awards and have been honored for their work with youth by such agencies as Bravo Television and Billboard Magazine's songwriter competition. They perform at over 200 venues a year, from theaters like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, to festivals, libraries and schools.

Description: Funding Factory 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.

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

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.

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 accepts computers, peripherals, office equipment and all electronics.

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.

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.

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

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:

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: