CVWMA offers educational programs for all ages. See descriptions of formal programs below. Click the orange button in each section to request a program.
Young Recyclers - Pre-K
Appropriate for early learners, this program introduces the ideas of reduce, reuse and recycle. Students will learn why recycling is important and how they can recycle right in their home. This program is approximately 20 minutes .
Junior Recyclers - Early Elem. School
Appropriate for early elementary school learners, this program will review the ideas of reducing, reusing, and recycling right. Students will learn what happens to their trash and what their recyclables can be turned into. This program includes a lesson and an activity that focuses on reimagining recyclable items. This program is approximately 30 minutes.
Recycling Investigators - Middle Elem School
Appropriate for middle elementary school learners. Students will learn that humans can have positive or negative impacts on the earth’s environment and will explore how reducing, reusing, and recycling can conserve natural resources. Students will be able to identify where their trash goes and what happens to the things they recycle. This program includes a lesson and an activity that focuses on the importance of conserving earth’s natural resources. Program is approximately 30 minutes.
Recycling Inspectors - Upper Elem School
Appropriate for upper elementary learners. Students will learn how reducing, reusing and recycling right can have a positive impact on our environment, Students will learn that that recycling incorrectly leads to recycled items being thrown into the landfill instead of being made into new things. Students will understand that this is a national issue in recycling, and they have a major role in making sure recyclables are recycled. Students will then take on the role of a “recycling inspector” to determine if recycling bins are “in” or are “oops” tagged. This program is approximately 30 – 45 minutes.
Recycling Influencers
Appropriate for 5th and 6th graders. Students will explore the basic concepts of reduce, reuse, and recycling right and their complex effects on the environment and public policy decisions. Students will be able to identify what is recyclable, how contamination in the recycling stream negatively affects the recyclability of items, and the resulting impact on the world’s ecosystems. Students will then work in groups to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that educates the public on the importance of recycling right. This program is approximately 45 minutes.
Recycling Legislators-Civics, Economics, and Government
Civics, Economics and Government. Students will explore the impact that recycling has on the local, state, national, and international economy. Students will learn about the impact good recycling can have on the earth and will explore recycling and waste legislation. Students will then work in small groups to draft laws that they will support recycling right in their communities. This program is approximately 45-60 minutes.
History of Recycling - Middle and High School
Many practices that are considered “green” were considered a part of daily life in previous eras. Explore the history of reuse and recycling with this lesson. Students will learn about the history of recycling, current events, and the future of recycling including the “circular economy” and “zero waste” ideas. This program is approximately 45-60 minutes.
Clubs and Youth Groups
CVWMA’s Recycling Education and Outreach Specialist provides interactive reduce, reuse, recycle education programs formatted for age level of participants in afterschool clubs, afterschool programs, 4-H groups, Summer Camps, etc. within our 13 member localities.
Library Storytimes, Preschools, Childcare Centers, Learning Centers and Childcare After School Programs
CVWMA ‘s Recycling Education and Outreach Specialist offers a free program that explores how preschool students can reduce, reuse, and recycle right and have an impact on the environment. Children will learn how to correctly sort recycling and will understand they can reduce and reuse resources to create less waste and have a positive impact on their environment. This program lasts 20-30 minutes and includes a lesson, a story time and a post-activity.