Educational Programs

Through the Solid Waste Authority’s (SWA) Education Outreach Program the SWA is actively involved in educating the public about the importance of recycling and reducing waste.

We offer the following:

Environmental Lessons
Facility Tours
Staff Training
Special Events
Educational CD and DVDs
Lesson Plans
Activity Sheets
Reference Materials

ENVIRONMENTAL LESSONS

Schools (Grades K-12)

The SWA will come to you! Our classroom lessons are a fun and innovative way of teaching students about waste and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Middle and high school lessons are scheduled to allow for changing classes when possible. Science teachers may want to join together for certain projects. The emphasis of these lessons is to promote following the 3 R’s.

At the end of each lesson, students are given a promotional item that contains a recycling message.

To schedule call (561) 640-8949 or email.

Communities and Businesses

Need help making your recycling program at your business a success? Want to learn more about what happens to your garbage and recyclables once they leave the curb while offering a friendly reminder to seasonal residents?

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has qualified, professional speakers. You’ll learn about the SWA’s integrated waste management system, which includes the Waste-To-Energy Plant, Landfill Operations and Household Hazardous Waste. You will also learn what items are and are not recyclable in Palm Beach County and much more.

We can also set up an information table at your special event and offer literature and personalized answers to attendees.

To schedule call (561) 640-4000, ext 4317 or email.

FACILITY TOURS

School Tours (4^th-12^th)

Field Experiences provide the opportunity for students to learn first-hand about a subject area and visiting the SWA facilities is no exception! The goal of the SWA tour is to expand students' knowledge of integrated solid waste management systems and to help students gain an understanding of the importance of reducing waste. At the end of each tour, students are given a recycling information card and a promotional item that contains a recycling message. The SWA has created lesson plans for the tour which include a pre and post test. These are available below in PDF format and can be viewed and printed using Adobe’s Acrobat Reader, available free online.

Student tours are conducted Monday thru Thursday from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. To schedule call (561) 640-8949 or email.

All attendees must sign and return the attached Hold Harmless Agreement before arriving to the SWA’s Visitors Center. Agreements can be faxed to (561) 640-8956 Attn. Recycling Education Department or email.

Community Tours

Our goal is to expand residents' knowledge of Solid Waste Authority’s integrated solid waste management system and help them gain an understanding of the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.

Community Tours are conducted Monday thru Thursday from 10:00 am - 11:30 am and 1:30pm – 3:00pm. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling (561) 640-4000, ext 4317 or email. Children must be at least nine years old to tour the facilities. Proof of age for children may be requested by the guide before starting the tour.

3R AMBASSADOR TRAINING PROGRAM

The goal of the 3R Ambassador Training Program is to give students a new look at how solid waste is handled in Palm Beach County. This week long program will give students the knowledge needed to complete a service learning project in their community or school. The program is available for students in Middle or High School and will be conducted by various experts in the field of solid waste. Each day, students will learn about the environment from a solid waste perspective and engage in activities such as tours, labs, and discussions.

For more information please call (561) 640-8949 or email.

"Educational Learning Tools" Interactive DVD

The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has developed an entertaining and educational DVD for students of all ages. The DVD encompasses three separate presentations that will teach students about the ins and outs of the Solid Waste Authority while focusing on the right way to recycle in Palm Beach County.

The first selection is called Recycle in the Park (K-2). This fun and exciting sequential learning tool teaches students the right way to recycle in Palm Beach County.

The second selection is a Puppet Show (K-5). The SWA has developed an educational recycling puppet show. The show stars SWA's recycling characters and focuses on teaching the students about waste reduction and recycling in an exciting way.

The final selection is an Overview Presentation (Grades 2 and Up). This provides an in-depth look at the SWA's state-of-the-art integrated solid waste management system.

To request your free copy, please call 561.640.8949 or email.

"The Big Tour" Interactive DVD

The "Big Tour" is an interactive DVD written and produced by the SWA. This DVD takes an in-depth look at each facility that is part of SWA's integrated waste system, including the waste-to-energy plant, the compost facility, the two materials recycling facilities, landfill operations and more.

One of the co-hosts of the "Big Tour" is a SWA staff member who gives presentations and tours to students. The other host is Curby, the Recycling Robot, who is well received in the community when he makes special appearances at local events. This duo brings life and excitement to the video that is informative and fun for viewers of all ages.

To request your free copy, please call 561.640.8949 or email.

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Activities:

The Authority has developed fun activities that you can use in your classrooms if we are unable to make it to you. They are available for download below. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, available free online.

If you have any questions, please call 561.640.8949 or email.

Lesson Plans

In order to maximize the benefit of the classroom environmental lessons and tours, the Authority has developed pre and post lesson plans to be utilized by the classroom teacher. These plans are grade specific and meet at least one of the Next-Generation Sunshine State Standard objectives.

The Authority’s Lesson Plans are available below in PDF format and can be viewed and printed using Adobe’s Acrobat Reader, available free online.

Environmental Lesson Plans:

Facility Tour Lesson Plans:

Activity Sheets

Download these fun activity sheets to enhance the educational process! They are available for download below. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, available free online.

Recycling:

Composting:

Waste Management:

Household Hazardous Waste:

Reference Materials

These reference materials are available to enhance your students’ educational experience. They are available for download below. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, available free online.

Community Service Volunteering

Students, do you need community service hours? Teachers, do you want to be active in your community? Well, get involved with the SWA’s Volunteer Program and start spreading the word about waste reduction and recycling today!

The Green Schools Recognition Program encourages cultures of sustainability within school communities. This program recognizes schools for taking a holistic approach to going green that incorporates school ground enhancement, resource conservation, curriculum connections, and community involvement with a school wide commitment and focus on sustainability. To learn more, click logo above.

Resource Depot is a reuse center which collects donations of clean, safe and reusable items that would ordinarily end up in the landfill, and makes them available for free to teachers (as well as daycare and aftercare providers, homeschool parents, and other educational nonprofit agencies) through “shopping” memberships.

To learn more, click logo above.