Recycling Programs
Since 2002, E3 has created and delivered educational programs on recycling and waste reduction. Too Good to Throw Away! and Talking Trash in Tucson are elementary and middle school classroom presentations, and Meet the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is a youth and adult program delivered on-site at the Republic Services Materials Recovery Facility in Tucson. Over 125,000 students have been reached through our partnerships with City of Tucson Environmental Services, Town of Queen Creek, and Republic Services.
Too Good to Throw Away!
Grades: 1st-5th | Since 2002
4,330 programs 104,700 students
Too Good to Throw Away! is a recycling education program designed for 1st-5th grade students to learn about and practice the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle – and have FUN in the process. The program, which is customized for grades 1-2 and grades 3-5, includes related pre- and post-visit lessons (including a pre-visit video) and an interactive one-hour class presentation, providing practical knowledge and skills that will help students make intelligent decisions now and in the future. Each 1st and 2nd grader receives a pencil made from recycled plastic, and 3rd-5th graders receive an in-depth Too Good to Throw Away! Learning Guide filled with exciting activities and video links to reinforce newly acquired learning. The presentation and related activities are aligned with ADE standards. Too Good to Throw Away! is sponsored by City of Tucson Environmental Services and offered free of charge to schools located within Tucson city limits. The Too Good to Throw Away! program was revised in Summer 2019.
Talking Trash in Tucson
Grades: 6th-8th | Since 2017
270 programs 6,940 students
Talking Trash in Tucson is a recycling education program designed for 6th-8th grade students in the City of Tucson. Students learn about the Do More Blue recycling program, the 3Rs and waste diversion, and how to take action to make a difference in their decisions related to the waste they generate. Talking Trash in Tucson includes related lessons and a hands-on and interactive classroom presentation (designed to fit into a typical 50-60 minute class period), all aligned with ADE standards. In addition, each student receives an in-depth Talking Trash in Tucson Learning Guide filled with engaging activities and video links to reinforce newly acquired learning. Talking Trash in Tucson is sponsored by City of Tucson Environmental Services and offered free of charge to schools located with the Tucson city limits.
Queen Creek's Too Good to Throw Away!
Grades: 3rd - 4th | Since 2011
413 programs 11,033 students
Queen Creek's Too Good to Throw Away! is a recycling education program designed for 3rd-4th grade students to learn about and practice the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle – and have FUN in the process. The program includes related pre- and post-visit lessons (including a pre-visit video) and a one-hour, interactive class presentation, providing practical knowledge and skills that will help students make intelligent decisions now and in the future. Students receive an in-depth Conservation in the QC Activity Book filled with exciting activities and video links to reinforce newly acquired learning. The presentation and related activities are aligned with ADE standards. Queen Creek's Too Good to Throw Away! is sponsored by Town of Queen Creek and offered free of charge to schools within Queen Creek service boundaries.
Queen Creek's Blue Cart Smart
Grades: 5th-9th | Since 2019
132 programs 3,488 students
Queen Creek's Blue Cart Smart is a three-part recycling education program designed for 5th-9th grade students in the Town of Queen Creek. Students learn about the Do More Blue recycling program, the 3Rs and waste diversion, and how to take action to make a difference in their decisions related to the waste they generate. Blue Cart Smart includes a pre-visit lesson, a hands-on and interactive classroom presentation (designed to fit into a typical 50-60 minute classroom period), and a post-visit lesson, all aligned with ADE standards. In addition, each student receives an in-depth Conservation in the QC Activity Book filled with exciting activities and video links to reinforce newly acquired learning. Blue Cart Smart is sponsored by the Town of Queen Creek and offered free of charge to schools within Queen Creek service boundaries.
Meet the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
School Groups & Adults | Since 2013
100 programs 2,200 Participants
Meet the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is a free educational program for school and adult groups. This 1.5-hour presentation takes place in the MRF’s Education Center, where participants engage in hands-on activities to learn what can be recycled in Tucson, how recyclables are sorted at the MRF, what types of products are made from recycled materials, and how recycling benefits our community and the environment. Participants also view equipment and staff sorting and processing recyclable materials. Meet the MRF is sponsored by Republic Services and offered free of charge to participating groups in the Tucson area.
