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Education

Sustainability Education & Resources

Why Is Sustainability Education Important?

When waste is properly sorted and processed, it reduces the demand for raw materials and conserves natural resources. This, in turn, helps mitigate habitat erosion, reduces energy consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with resource extraction and production.

Learning how to source separate, compost, and Recycle Right® is crucial for reducing contamination, conserving resources, mitigating climate change, and fostering a more environmentally conscious and sustainable society. It plays a significant role in promoting responsible waste management and resource stewardship. Part of WM’s commitment to a sustainable tomorrow is ensuring that the communities we serve are supported with education and resources to help them meet their sustainability goals.

Here you’ll find helpful resources to help you start a recycling program in your home, business, or school. Learn how to correctly source separate items, and a whole lot more.

Recycle 101

Recycling the right way is crucial for reducing contamination, conserving resources, mitigating climate change, and fostering a more environmentally conscious and sustainable tomorrow.

Do you have all the basics covered?

Resources for Residential Customers

Properly source separating waste items is a critical component of responsible waste management. It promotes recycling, reuse, waste reduction, resource conservation, and environmental protection. Find out how you can be a sustainability champion in your community.

What Goes Where

Use this resource to make sure that only the right items, free from contamination, make their way into your recycling, organics, and trash cart or bin.

Organics & Composting

With California’s SB1383, food scraps and food-soiled paper is no longer trash. Learn what you can do to reduce organic materials going to landfills.

Dangerous Materials

Recycling right isn’t just about diverting materials from the landfill, it’s also about keeping our communities safe. Learn what materials pose a risk when improperly discarded.

Resources for Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings

Whether source separation is a legal requirement in your area or you’re simply looking to run the most sustainable operation possible, WM offers resources for property owners and managers to build their own recycling or composting programs. Regulations vary by region, so please consult your local page for additional information in your area.

Commercial & Multi-Family Buildings (CA)

Browse resources for California residences and businesses to help your building sort and separately collect organic/green waste from trash and recycling.

Recycling Assistance Program (NV)

For property managers and owners developing a recycling program at their Northern Nevada property.

Resources for Schools

The most powerful habits and attitudes are created at an early age and recycling can be one of them. Our recycling curriculum has been developed in alignment with STEM and the Next Generation Science Standards and includes all required materials and background information you need to create a recycling lesson plan for any classroom, and is available in English and Spanish.

Recycling Curricula for Elementary Grades 🡪

Provide kids with interactive learning opportunities that focus on building proper recycling habits with the Recycle Right Elementary Curriculum based on STEM standards.

Recycled Art Projects for Kids🡪

Introduce a fun exercise creating reusable art to emphasize waste reduction.

Educational Tours and On-Site Experiences

WM offers a variety of educational events, tours, and classes across the Northern California / Nevada area, including:

  • Landfill Tours
  • Transfer Station Tours
  • Recycling Center Tours
  • Education Centers
  • Classroom Visits

Browse our events to see what we offer in your area.

 students visiting the StopWaste education center at WM's davis street transfer station
Find A Tour

Learn About Sustainability and Innovation

Composting at Guadalupe

Composting at Guadalupe

The WM EarthCare Landscape Center at the Guadalupe Landfill features compost and an assortment of mulch colors. Our products are made from Bay Area-sourced and produced, 100%...