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

Project Zero Waste

Ready to talk trash? OC Waste & Recycling and the Orange County Department of Education's Inside the Outdoors program have partnered to bring Project Zero Waste to classrooms across Orange County.

This free K–12 environmental education program provides educators with engaging, standards-aligned lessons that make it easy to teach students about recycling, composting, and sustainable materials management.

Student and Teacher Testimonials

"My students had never been to a landfill before, so they were amazed by the science and engineering involved in running the site. They especially enjoyed the hands-on activities, learning about composting and landfill gas systems, and seeing the different parts of the landfill up close. The experience was informative, interactive, and introduced them to a variety of career opportunities. I would love to bring my new class back next year!"

– Jessica A., Science Teacher at El Modena High School (Orange Unified School District)

“I have a deeper understanding for the hard work they [the landfill staff] do. It really made me feel gratefully for them. I also learned about the methane and the compost. [My favorite part was] seeing all the trash and it getting destroyed. It was awesome!”

– Middle school student from Santa Ana

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.

OCWR Programs - Discovery Cube.

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. 

Take the EcoChallenge!

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!

  • OC Waste & Recycling's OMRI and STA certified community compost and mulch program is accepting appointments!
  • Valencia Greenery, Brea
  • Bee Canyon Greenery, Irvine
  • Capistrano Greenery, San Juan Capistrano
  • By appointment only at OClandfills.com/green2u 
  • 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

  • In 2026, OC Waste and Recycling completed 218 acres of coastal sage scrub restoration supporting natural California habitats for Orange County and quadrupling the number of California gnatcatcher breeding pairs in the area. Check out our flora and fauna trading cards HERE! 

  • In 2025, nearly 55,000 tons of green waste was diverted from Orange County landfills.

  • Every year, landfill gas is converted into renewable electricity, powering approximately 30,396 OC homes, including the Honda Center!