The District offers numerous free and partially subsidized programs focused on recycling and composting for schools registered with the Recycling Assistance Program (RAP) Program. Please see the following list of providers, including pricing and course descriptions for a program to fit your class.

Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District

Cost: FREE
Contact: E-mail Cher Mohring or call (513) 946-7737

Composting 101 Grades K–8, 45 minutes
Learn the fundamentals of backyard composting. It’s an easy and effective way to keep organics in the environment and out of the landfill.

Community Recycling Grades 3–Adult, 45 minutes
Participating in a community recycling program is easier than you think. Participants will learn the why, what, and how of recycling programs available in their communities.

NEW Garbage Free Lunch Grades K–Adult, 45 minutes
Are you tired of seeing garbage cans full of juice boxes, lunch trays, and uneaten food? This program is a designed to give lunch packers ideas on how to reduce waste and save money. Each student will receive a copy of the District’s “Garbage Free Lunch Guidelines” to take home and share with their family.

NEW School PTA Meetings Adult, varied times
Learn how your school can join the green movement through recycling and environmental education. Presentation will also discuss ways that your school can generate revenue through recycling.

School Recycling Rocks! Grades 3–12, 45 minutes
Is your student council or ecology club interested in starting a recycling program at your school? School Recycling Rocks! presents local recycling options, ideas for school recycling plans, program maintenance, and ways to increase participation.

Crystal Clear Science

Cost: $50 (Retail cost: $100), Low-income school cost: $10
Contact: E-mail Michelle White or call (513) 553-2252

Fantastic Plastic Grades K–12, 45 minutes
This hands-on program teaches kids the rules of recycling plastic. It also covers physical properties of matter and includes great reuse activity ideas.

Paper Capers Grades K–12, 45 minutes
Students will learn about the importance of the entire recycling loop: buy things that can be recycled, recycle them, and purchase goods made from recycled products. They will also participate in a paper recycling demonstration.

Paper Recycling Grades K–Adult, 45 minutes
A discussion on the history of paper is followed by making recycled paper. The presentation details the various grades of paper, as they relate to the economic value and properties for recycling. Three paper recycling stations are set up to make recycled paper from office paper, newspaper, and brown bags, allowing for a comparison between the various grades of paper.

R’s for Life!!! (With Live "Spokes-Animals") Grades K-8, 45 minutes Teach your students about reducing, reusing, and recycling (3 R’s) while reinforcing academic content standards at the same time! R’s For Life is a fun, fast-paced show that will leave kids with a new understanding of the impact they have on our local environment and their futures. This program focuses on empowering and inspiring kids to be a part of the solution and features many great reuse projects and experiments! (This program is also available as an assembly; see the "Assemblies" section of the newsletter for a full description.)

Rotten Science Grades K–12, 45 minutes
This program delves deeper into the science of the carbon cycle and composting. Students will learn that one of the largest parts of the waste stream can recycle itself!

Recycling Math Challenge Grades 3–8, 45 minutes
Students will participate in word games involving facts and figures about recycling. If your school or community recycles, they will determine the environmental benefits of your program so the information can be shared with the campus and neighbors. This program has great science and social studies connections. Teachers will receive instructions for making a "Recycling Rules–Trees of Life" bulletin board that will enlighten and inspire the entire school.

Taking Charge of Recycling Grades 6–Adult, 45 minutes
This program is designed for middle and high school students and adults who want to bring recycling to their schools, homes, churches and other community areas. Attendees will learn how to calculate benefits/costs, the infrastructure of recycling programs, and the way that recycling helps us do our "civic duty." Many math, science and social studies standards are covered in this program.