School Recycling Education

The SWA will come to you! Our elementary lessons are presented in an assembly format to each grade level. The assemblies are informative, entertaining, sequential learning experiences. After being given an overview of the SWA, students are encouraged to grasp the importance of recycling. Middle and high school presentations are scheduled to allow for changing classes when possible. Science teachers may want to join together for certain projects, such as students devoting a day to making their own recycled paper. The emphasis of these presentations is always the promotion of proper recycling.

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

Field trips 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 both before and after the tour. 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 every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. To schedule: call 561.640.4000 x4413 or email.

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.

The SWA has developed an interactive CD which is a great in-class tool. Students in kindergarten through 5th grade explore "SWA Land" by listening to a tour hosted by the SWA puppet show characters.. The tour is grade specific and is followed by a group of questions where virtual tokens are given for correct answers. Even after five tokens are collected, the games are continued until the session is finished. There is also a teacher's corner which provides the opportunity to get support materials for their own lessons. The interactive CD can be used for a whole class lesson if SWA staff is not available.

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.

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.

Lesson Plans

In order to maximize the benefit of the classroom presentations and tours, the Authority has developed lesson plans to be presented by the classroom teacher both before and after the presentation. These lessons are grade specific and meet at least one of the 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.

Activity Sheets

The Authority has developed fun activity sheets to enhance the educational process. They are available for download below. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, available free online.

Reference Materials

These reference materials are in Adobe's Acrobat (PDF) format, and require the Acrobat Reader.

Community Service Volunteering

Students needing community service hours and teachers wanting to be active in their community will get involved with the SWA's Volunteer Program to spread the word about waste reduction and recycling.

School Recycling and Educational Programs

Reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis. The schedule quickly fills up, so call 561.640.4000 x4413 or email to reserve a date.

Classroom Presentations (Grades K-12)

Activities:

Lesson Plans

Activity Sheets

Reference Materials

Community Service Volunteering