Facility Tours, Presentations and Kits

The following tours, presentations and kits are available to schools and other community groups at no cost. Download the .PDF brochure version.

Indicate which resource(s) you are interested in by checking the boxes below. Include specific time and date requirements and our staff member will contact you to make arrangements.

Tours:

	Kent County Recycling Center 322 Bartlett Street, Grand Rapids Grades: 1 + Grade Level Content Expectations applicable in this tour: Science: E.ES.03.41 through 44; E.ES.03.51 through 52; E.SE.03.31 Downtown Grand Rapids: The Materials Recovery Facility is a sorting facility designed to accept residential recyclable materials. Recyclables are sorted according to type, then prepared for shipping to the next processor by pressing the recyclables into bales. Tours are approximately one hour in length and include a classroom discussion about recycling as well as a facility tour. (Please note: Kent County is building a new recycling center on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids. Tours of the new facility will be offered beginning fall 2010. Tours of the Kent County Recycling Center will not be scheduled between May 7 and September 1 as we transition to the new Recycling Center. If you would like a tour of the current Recycling Center prior to May 7 or of the new Recycling Center after September 1, please email us!)
	South Kent Landfill 300 100th Street, Byron Center Grades: 3 + Grade Level Content Expectations applicable in this tour: Science: E.ES.07.41 through 42 Byron Center: The South Kent Landfill is the only solid waste landfill operating in Kent County. Tours are up to one hour in length and provide an in-bus talking tour of the entire landfill area, including a trip up to the top to see the big machines in action (weather permitting) and all groups will weigh in at the scalehouse. A short discussion on our new methane gas recovery system is included.
	Waste-to-Energy Facility 950 Market SW, Grand Rapids Grades: 5 + Downtown Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids, the Waste-To-Energy Facility can process 625 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) per day. The MSW is converted into steam through carefully monitored incineration in specially designed furnace/boilers. The steam goes through a turbine/generator to generate electricity. A small portion of the electricity is used in house and the rest is sold to Consumers Energy Company and consumed by homes and businesses in Kent County. The MSW is reduced to ash, which is landfilled after ferrous metal is removed and recycled. About 4,500 tons of ferrous is recycled every year. As ash, the MSW is reduced 90% by volume and 75% by weight. Call (616) 235-3210 for tour information.

Presentations:

	Sorting It Out Grades: Pre K-1, 30 minutes Grade Level Content Expectations: Science: E.ES.03.41 through 44; E.ES.03.52 Where does our trash go when we throw it “away”? By sharing a recycling book with your students, our presenter will help them understand that recycling can reduce how much trash goes into the landfill, identify four items in their home that can be recycled, and learn how recycling is available in their community.
	Packing a Waste Free Lunch Grades: 3+, 45 minutes Grade Level Content Expectations: Science: E.ES.03.41 through 44; E.ES.03.51 through 52; The term “green” is used frequently, but what does it means to be green? Is it difficult to ‘be green’? In fact, being ‘green’ is really about choices. The choices each of us makes have an impact (either positive or negative) on the environment. This presentation will help your students discover simple ways they choose to be “greener” in their lives—including the simple task of packing their lunch.
	Watch Your Waste! Grades: 2-8, 45 minutes Grade Level Content Expectations: Science: E.ES.03.41 through 44; E.ES.03.51 through 52; E.ES.07.41 through 42 This presentation will emphasize that much of what we throw in the trash is not necessarily trash—it can be reused, recycled, or composted and we can easily reduce the amount that does go in the trash. We will also discuss how reducing, reusing and recycling can save natural resources. Our presenter will guide your students as we sort through the “trash” we bring.
	Paper or Plastic? The Great Debate Grades: 9-12, 45 minutes Many people assume that paper bags are better for the environment, but are they really? By analyzing the life cycle of paper and plastic bags, students will make a jaw-dropping discovery about the resources required to make both types of bags and determine whether there is a better option (of course there is!)

Kits:

Kits are generally loaned out for 1-2 week periods. Other arrangements may be possible, depending on demand. Pick up kits at our main office in Grand Rapids.

	Recycled Crayon Kit Grades: 1 + Crayons take many years to decompose in a landfill. Rather than throwing away crayon stubs, melt them down to make new crayons in fun shapes! We’ll supply crock-pots and molds, you supply the crayon stubs. If you have an oven, crockpots may not be necessary. Additional adult helpers may be required.
	Paper-making Kit Grades: 2 + By recycling paper we can reduce the number of trees used to produce new paper. We supply the blenders and screens for making paper, you supply the paper scraps and water! This is a great activity to try outside on picnic tables (electricity required). Try making special occasion cards!
	Steel Can Lantern Kit Grades: 3 + Empty steel cans are great to teach “reuse” to your students! We’ll supply the hammers and nails, you supply the cans so your students can make their own “lanterns.” This makes a great gift for parents!

Other:

Lessons & Activities in Recycling & Waste Management
We’ve compiled a curriculum guide that includes lessons and activities that you can use when teaching about recycling, solid waste, hazardous waste and land use topics. Access these for free on our webpage: www.accesskent.com/EnvironmentalEd

Earth Day Recycle Challenge
Each year the Kent County Board of Public Works invites all elementary schools in Kent County to participate in a challenge to promote awareness for Earth Day (celebrated April 22nd each year) and to encourage recycling at an early age. Schools are challenged to collect a specific item for recycling, and awards are given out to the top performing schools based on the average amount of material collected per student. Watch our website and your mailbox for details in January.

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Send Us More Information

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Date(s) Requested for Tour, Presentation or Kit:
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Please indicate which program(s) you'd like more information about by clicking the corresponding box below:
Tours:	Kent County Recycling Center South Kent Landfill Waste-to-Energy Facility
Presentations:	Sorting It Out Packing a Waste Free Lunch Watch Your Waste! Paper or Plastic? The Great Debate
Kits:	Recycled Crayon Kit Paper-making Kit Steel Can Lantern Kit
Other:	Lessons & Activities in Recycling & Waste Management Earth Day Recycle Challenge For a complete list of updated programs and activies, visit the Teacher Resources webpage.
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