Although orange is our favorite color, the Anaheim Ducks and the County of Orange are proud to support all things green.

With many local partners, we actively promote local environmental stewardship and recycling best practices in classrooms, at home, at the Honda Center and throughout our communities. Check here often for updates on educator programs, special events, coupons, impact stories and more.

Small changes make a big difference. Together we have the power to ensure a safe and healthy environment for current and future generations. Join the team!

FREE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES FOR OC EDUCATORS

Ready to talk trash? The County of Orange (OC Waste & Recycling), Orange County Department of Education and Discovery Cube OC are teaming up to bring exciting new tools to educators and the classroom. Our free EcoChallenge resources are designed by and for educators to meet important requirements and to help preserve our local resources. Promoting a sense of community and circular knowledge, EcoChallenge teaches students that small changes make a big difference - starting in their own backyards!

Going Green - Bad Apples

This free, environmental literacy program provides educators standards-based K-12 curricula, with an engaging lesson sequence that aligns with Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and incorporating Environmental Principles & Concepts (EP&Cs). EcoChallenge can be easily integrated into classrooms and existing environmental clubs and green teams on campus. Lessons convey how best recycling habits can help reduce greenhouse emissions, cut down on food waste, and reduce carbon footprints.

With opportunities for fun classroom incentives like autographed jerseys and field trips, EcoChallenge provides valuable tools to local educators while simultaneously meeting goals for waste diversion education. Classes can earn free reusable lunch bags, lunch kits and more while supplies last!

"The long-term benefits to the environment and teaching children they can make a daily difference were well worth it. I can also say how much I learned and made changes because of this lesson sequence. Thank you!"
- Kim Cox, Garden Grove Unified School District 5th Grade Teacher

"What resonated the most with my students was the fact that they got to learn about waste diversion and experience it firsthand. They were shocked how much we waste!"
- Ann Berger, 5th grade teacher at Esencia Elementary

Explore Discovery Cube OC Exhibits, Assemblies and Field Trip Opportunities

Eco Challenge Exhibits -- The County of Orange and Discovery Cube OC invite families to Take the Eco Challenge through hands-on environmental exhibits at the Cube. Families can test their recycling skills sorting various items on the Race-to-Recycle conveyor belt or put their “green” thinking caps on while shopping in Discovery Market where it’s all about smart packaging and food conservation. Visit our Eco Garage to learn about proper handling of hazardous waste at home, and don’t forget to stop at our wiggly worms of composting outdoors in the new Organic Waste Lab! 

Education -- OC educators can bring the Eco Challenge directly to classrooms and students. In partnership with OC Waste & Recycling, Discovery Cube offers 5th and 6th graders a fully funded, two-part program that includes a standards-based assembly and a Discovery Cube field trip with a bus stipend award. Find our field trip flyer here.

Discovery Cube partners with a variety of agencies to offer FREE water, waste, and recycling programs to students in specific service areas. These programs are conducted at the school site, are grade-level specific, and correlate with NGSS and Environmental Principles & Concepts. For more information, visit Discovery Cube education here.

COUNTY OF ORANGE FREE COMMUNITY COMPOST PROGRAM

Are you an Orange County resident, landscaper or organization interested in free compost or mulch? OC Waste & Recycling's community compost and mulch program is accepting requests!

  • Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Bee Canyon Greenery, Irvine
  • Capistrano Greenery, San Juan Capistrano
  • By appointment only at OCLandfills.com/compost
  • STA certified by the US Compost Council

This program is made possible by recycling residential curbside green waste at OC landfill greeneries. Big changes make big impacts locally. Thank you for doing your part and recycling right!

DID YOU KNOW

  • Did you know our Orange County landfills produce renewable energy from methane gas to generate electricity for OC homes?
  • OC landfills operate 106 pieces of heavy equipment and 115 engines on renewable diesel fuel to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75% over previous fuel.
  • OC landfills recover and recycle mattresses, metals and green waste to give back to our communities as valuable resources such as compost and energy.
  • In 2022, OC Waste & Recycling completed 198 acres of coastal sage scrub restoration supporting natural habitats in south county and quadrupling the number of gnatcatcher breeding pairs in the area.
  • In 2022, OC Waste & Recycling repurposed 16,842 tons of green waste for composting through our on-site greeneries. This is curbside green waste going back to our communities full circle.