School Recycling and Educational Programs

• Classroom Presentations
• Facility Tours
• Educational CD and DVD Offerings
• Lesson Plans
• Activity Sheets
• Reference Materials

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)

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.

To schedule: call (561) 640-4000 x4413 or email.

Facility Tours (Grades 4-12)

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.

"Educational Learning Tools" Interactive DVD Offerings

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) 640-4000 x4413 or email.

"Planet SWA Virtual Recycling Tour" Educational CD

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.

To request your free copy, please call (561) 640-4000 x4413 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) 640-4000 x4413 or email.

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.

Presentation Lesson Plans:

Kindergarten Lesson Plan

First Grade Lesson Plan

Second Grade Lesson Plan

Third Grade Lesson Plan

Fourth Grade Lesson Plan

Fifth Grade Lesson Plan

Middle School Lesson Plan

High School Lesson Plan

Facility Tour Lesson Plans:

Fourth Grade Tour Lesson Plan

Fifth Grade Tour Lesson Plan

Middle School Tour Lesson Plan

High School Tour Lesson Plan

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.

 Recycling:

Milk Mon Activity Sheet
Rappin' Plastic Activity Sheet
Recycling Crossword Puzzle

Hands On Recycling Sort

Hands On Recycling Sort Page 2

Blue Bin Word Find

Yellow Bin Word Find

Recycling Activity Sheet

Recycling Activity Sheet Answer Key

Recycling Matters

Recycling Matters Word Find

Recycling Matters Answer Sheet
Spelling Flyer

Math Flyer Grades 1-4

Math Flyer Grades 5-8

 Composting:

Composting Activity Sheet
Composting Reference
Leaf Cycle
Martin Mulch
Recycling in Nature

 Waste Management:

Boomin' Aluminum Funsheet
Groovin' News Funsheet
Think Fast Game List
Radical Glass Funsheet
Rappin' Plastic Funsheet
Decomposition

 Household Hazardous Waste:

HHW Worksheet
Worksheet Answers
HHW Scramble

Hazardous Waste at Your House

Hazardous Waste Symbols

Hazardous Waste Survey

Environmental Activities

Reference Materials

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

Web Sites
Book List

Books for Kids

Crafts from Trash

Recycling Info for Teachers

History of Garbage

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