From tabletop models and skits, to PowerPoint presentations or tours at the landfill, the Waste Trac Education Team can offer an engaging, hands-on experience for your adult learners. Teachers, club leaders, and program coordinators can choose from a variety of college and adult educational presentations.
Click (below) to view the educational activities available for college and adult groups:
The following programs are suitable to college students. Each program lasts from 30 – 45 minutes, unless noted. We prefer to visit one classroom per session, but can schedule multiple sessions during our visit to accommodate any other class sections.
Cedar Valley Waste Tour (Field trip to various locations!)
Students can learn where both their solid and sewer waste ends up. Visit the Black Hawk County Sanitary Landfill, waste water facilities of Waterloo or Cedar Falls and/or a local recycling processor to see how various types of wastes are managed in the Cedar Valley. The Waste Trac Education Team will coordinate the tours; teachers will need to arrange school permission slips and busing. All students MUST wear closed-toed shoes (no sandals).
*This field trip will include a Guided Landfill Tour and 1 or 2 other locations, depending on the amount of time your group has available.
(2 – 3 hours)
Green Shopping
There are many choices to make at the store, but we’ll look for environmentally friendly products at our pretend retail store. What is the packaging made from? Is the packaging recyclable? Are the products toxic? Are the products energy efficient? Students will also learn about renewable vs. nonrenewable resources while rotating through shopping stations set up in the classroom.
(45 – 60 minutes)
Guided Landfill Tours (Field Trip!)
During your walking tour at the Black Hawk County Sanitary Landfill (in rural Waterloo) we will watch garbage trucks in action, see a variety of items at the small loads area and compost site, and learn about the technology and environmental protections that are put in place to protect us and the environment from our waste.
(45 – 60 minutes)
Landfill Model
The Enviroscape 3-D model demonstrates how modern sanitary landfills differ in operation compared to the trash dumps of the past. We’ll also discuss how the Black Hawk County Sanitary Landfill is designed and how water monitoring and the leachate collection system are in place to protect groundwater.
* This activity works better for small groups (half of the class). Depending on your class size, it may be best to pair this activity with the Virtual Landfill Tour or Waste Race. If pairing activities, we would prefer 45-60 minutes total.
Mini Recycling Center
Students use their imagination and get to work sorting recyclables on our portable tabletop recycling unit. Our kid-powered conveyor simulates how recyclable materials are sorted in a recycling facility (by humans and magnets). Discuss how these materials are baled for market and what goods they are transformed into.
**An adult will need to assist with unloading/loading this large case from the Waste Trac vehicle and navigating any stairs to get the equipment to the classroom.
* This activity works better for small groups (half of the class). Depending on your class size, it may be best to pair this activity with the Waste Race or a short video and recycled content products. If pairing activities, we would prefer 45-60 minutes total.
Recipe for Your Compost Bin!
A short PowerPoint presentation will be followed by hands-on activity explaining the various creatures and ingredients that are necessary for a healthy backyard compost pile. Students will learn that a compost bin is an ecosystem in itself, full of predators and prey. They will learn that gardeners use a compost recipe and aim for a balance of greens (Nitrogen) and browns (Carbon). (45 – 60 minutes)
Vermicomposting (Composting with Redworms!)
We will bring our worm bin into your class and show how Redworms can compost our fruit, vegetable, and paper scraps. Your scientists will learn about the life cycle of a worm, “dig in” to identify the worms’ food sources, and use magnifying glasses to look at worm anatomy. Students will work in groups at different worm activity stations.
Virtual Landfill Tour
Want to learn about the landfill, but don’t have the time or bus funds to visit? Invite Waste Trac to visit your school to present a PowerPoint to learn about: the four leading categories of garbage headed to Iowa landfills, landfill construction and technology, banned items, and appliance & tire recycling. See photos of the small loads area, scale house, and the landfill cell.
Waste Race
There are lots of ways to shrink your garbage. Get students moving in this fast paced recycling relay race! Students will classify items into categories, including: recyclable, compostable, redeemable, reusable, and actual trash and race to place (clean) waste items in the correct bins! *Large spaces or the gym work great for this program.
The following programs are suitable for adult audiences. Each program lasts from 30 – 45 minutes, unless noted.
Backyard Composting
Replicate nature’s way of recycling to turn yard debris and food waste into black gold. Learn about the recipe of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) ingredients that are necessary for a healthy backyard compost pile, items to exclude, and which style of composting is best for your property.
Composting with Redworms! (Vermicomposting)
Redworms can transform our fruit, vegetable, and paper scraps into beautiful compost… indoors! Through this PowerPoint presentation, your group will learn about their bedding, preferred food sources, the life cycle of a worm, and more!
*If requested, Waste Trac can also bring their classroom composting worms along to give your group an up close look at these creatures in action!
Green Shopping
There are many choices to make at the store, but during this activity we’ll look for environmentally friendly products. What is the packaging made from? Is the packaging recyclable? Are the products toxic? The group will also learn about renewable vs. nonrenewable resources, recycled content items, and ways you can shop with the environment in mind.
Guided Landfill Tours (Field Trip!)
Strap on your hiking shoes and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Black Hawk County Sanitary Landfill. During this walking tour, watch garbage trucks in action. See a variety of items at the small loads area and compost site. Learn about the technology and environmental protections in place to protect us and the environment from our waste.
*A Virtual Landfill Tour PowerPoint presentation is also available if you are not able to visit the site.
(45 – 60 minutes)
Live Green in the Cedar Valley
Do you know the four main categories of waste going into Iowa landfills? Discuss a wide variety of ways to be “green” and reduce the amount of garbage in your life. Topics include: proper medication disposal, ways to reduce the amount of toxic products in your home, recycling electronics, and addressing items outside of your municipal recycling program.
Virtual Landfill Tour
Want to learn about the landfill, but don’t have time to go there for a tour? Enjoy this PowerPoint presentation to learn about the four leading categories of garbage headed to Iowa landfills, landfill construction and technology, current disposal rates, banned items, and appliance & tire recycling. See photos of the small loads area, scale house, and the landfill cell.
