New Recycling Education Program Launches in OC Classrooms

COSTA MESA, Calif. — As a part of a multifaceted outreach program to coach college students, residents and organizations about recycling greatest practices, OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), in partnership with the Orange County Division of Schooling’s (OCDE) Contained in the Outdoor environmental schooling program, is launching a brand new curricular initiative geared toward difficult native learners to undertake sustainable behaviors.

Below the umbrella, this system will present native educators with academic supplies that assist classroom classes, pupil engagement and household actions related to Orange County’s waste diversion efforts. Practically 20 native faculties have participated in a pilot program to pattern and provides suggestions on the brand new curriculum, with dozens extra anticipated to implement this system within the upcoming 2021-22 faculty yr.

“The county is proud to supply educators with the dear instruments to interact college students about waste diversion whereas supporting state mandated instructing necessities,” stated Supervisor Andrew Do, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Collectively, we’re inspiring college students to play an energetic function in preserving our native assets for a protected and wholesome group for future generations.”

Aimed toward constructing environmental literacy, this system seeks to assist native communities in reaching the natural waste diversion objectives set forth below Senate Invoice 1383. Accredited by the governor in 2016, the regulation modified the way in which California manages natural waste and required a 75 p.c discount within the statewide disposal of natural waste by Jan. 1, 2025 based mostly on 2014 ranges.

“Whereas waste diversion objectives might be reached via actions comparable to edible meals rescue, composting and recycling of natural waste, the partnership between OCWR and OCDE intends to coach the county’s youngest shoppers, creating a long-lasting impression for the longer term and growing engagement in these practices,” stated Lori Kiesser, schooling and partnership coordinator for Contained in the Outdoor.

This system additionally permits OCDE to higher assist native districts with the implementation of science and historical past tutorial frameworks, together with California’s Environmental Rules and Ideas, or EP&Cs. The EP&Cs, which spotlight the connection between human and pure methods, are required to be taught within the classroom and have to be targeted on native environmental priorities. 

“The partnership with OCDE’s Contained in the Outdoor program is essential to the county’s subsequent era of waste diversion schooling and packages in response to state requirements and newer financial impacts throughout the recycling trade,” stated Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “OCWR and OCDE are uniquely positioned to supply academics, college students and households with assets that assist tutorial frameworks to make sure accessibility for all communities in Orange County.”

For extra data on Eco Problem and the way native educators can implement the curriculum of their lecture rooms, please contact Contained in the Outdoor at [email protected].

About OC Waste & Recycling

OCWR serves the County’s strong waste disposal wants by offering waste administration companies via a municipal landfill system and useful resource restoration services, defending the native surroundings, investing in renewable vitality enterprises and selling recycling with the intention to guarantee a protected and wholesome group for present and future generations. The division manages one of many nation’s premier strong waste disposal methods, serving residents and companies within the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three energetic landfills mirror environmental engineering at its greatest. Be taught extra by visiting the oclandfills.com or comply with @ocwaste on social media.

About Contained in the Outdoor

OCDE’s Contained in the Outdoor has been a frontrunner in hands-on science and social science packages since 1974. The mission of this system is to empower college students, academics, dad and mom and the group to discover pure areas and broaden their data, understanding and stewardship of the surroundings. To study extra about Contained in the Outdoor, go to the ITO website.