School Programs - Grade K to 8

Learn about the five ‘R’s (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover), proper sorting, and other topics related to waste management. This includes lesson plans and resources connected to the Ontario Curriculum.   

Durham's Five 'R's

Watch our video and learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources.

Rethink

Students will learn about the first “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy – Rethink. Rethink requires us to consider the products we bring home including how products were produced, where the materials came from, and if they are sustainable.

Reduce

Students will learn about Reduce, the second “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy. Reducing the amount of waste that we create decreases the amount of waste that needs to be managed and/or requires disposal – protecting the environment and our community.

Reuse

Students will learn about Reuse, the third “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy. Reuse is a great way to divert materials away from the waste stream, decreasing the amount of waste that needs to be managed or disposed of as garbage.

Recycle

Recycle is the fourth “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy, after Rethink, Reduce and Reuse. Recycle is an important step in the waste hierarchy but should be considered only after applying other alternatives. It is the last attempt to keep items out of the garbage bag and should be done after the other Rs have been used. Students will learn about the Region’s Blue Box recycling program and how they can participate for a cleaner, greener future.

Recover

Even after applying the first four “Rs”, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, we still end up producing garbage. In the past, this garbage went to landfill. Today, Durham Region no longer relies on landfills as our primary way to dispose of garbage. That’s where the fifth “R” comes in, Recover. Students will learn how the Region is recovering valuable resources that remain in our garbage and how recovery benefits the environment and our community.

Compost

Composting is the process of turning organic material into a nutrient rich, soil-like material. Students will learn about what materials are compostable, how the material is processed, and explore how compost can reduce waste for disposal while creating a valuable material that can be used on lawns and in gardens.  

Request a Waste Management Presentation

Are you interested in a general or topic specific presentation? We would love to chat how we can help support waste education through virtual opportunities.

Request a presentation