1. Engaging with Peel’s School Communities through Waste Education
Katya Seckar
Region of Peel
Public Works
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

2. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Outline
Background
Objectives
New Waste Education Programs
Workshops
Campaigns
Measurement
Results & Lessons Learned
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

3. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Overview
Cities of Brampton, Mississauga and Town of Caledon
1,454,600 residents
403 publicly-funded schools with over 234,800 students
75% diversion target
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

4. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Background
Goals:
Have consistent programming across the region
Ensure priority messages are captured and are the focus of programs
Implement educational best practices into programs
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

5. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Program Objectives
Target: Reach 100 schools and 25% of student population each year
Collaboration with Waste Management client group identified priority waste messaging.
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

6. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Topics of Focus
Topics of focus were outlined based on current and emerging Regional priorities:
Applying the 3Rs to reduce waste generation at school and home
Product Life Cycles
Landfills
Composting
How recycling and organic waste are processed by the Region of Peel
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

7. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
New Waste Education Programs
Peel has developed and implemented the following programs:
In-class curriculum-connected workshops (K-12)
Whole school waste reduction campaigns (elementary, middle, and secondary)
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

8. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Workshops
Workshops focus on specific waste themes and connect to the Ontario Curriculum (electronics, 3Rs, food waste, consumerism, product lifecycles, etc.)
Includes hands-on activities and follow-up lesson plans that further support waste reduction education
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

9. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Workshops
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

10. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Campaigns
Campaigns engage the whole school community in waste reduction behaviours
Recycle Right
Wasteless Lunch
Reusable Bottle
Food Waste
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

11. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Campaigns
Pre- and post-campaign waste audits
School-wide challenge with weekly checks
Elementary schools: Kickoff and celebration assemblies
Secondary schools: Fun and educational activities in cafeteria
Announcements, newsletters, parent handouts, etc.
Tracking and measurement
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

12. Campaigns
In-depth school waste audits take place before the campaign to inform waste reduction initiatives

13. Campaigns

14. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Program Delivery Agencies
Brampton schools: Region of Peel
Caledon schools: ecoCaledon
Mississauga schools: Ecosource
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

15. Program Promotion
teachgreeninpeel.ca

16. Program Promotion

17. Program Promotion
ecocaledon.org

18. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Program Measurement
Programs are measured through a variety of means:
Cost (per student, per unit)
Satisfaction (teacher surveys)
Agency delivery performance
Behaviour change (pre/post audits and weekly checks in campaigns)
Knowledge transfer questions (workshops)
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

19. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Program Measurement
Knowledge transfer (Workshops)
Pre and post questions
Hands-up survey for younger grades
Electronic or paper format for older grades
Overall: 66% of students who did not know the answer before the workshop learned the answer
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

20. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Delivery Results
Jan-June Delivered:
847 workshops
11 waste reduction campaigns
112 schools engaged
Sept April Delivered:
1380 workshops
43 waste reduction campaigns
195 schools engaged (Target:100 schools)
54,819 students engaged (Target: 58,700 by end of school year)
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

21. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Lessons Learned
Good uptake indicates a demand for these programs *Supports EcoSchools Certification
Process of continual improvement to enhance program delivery
Larger uptake in elementary schools than secondary
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

22. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Transferability
Across Peel, the average cost per workshop is approximately $200.
Can be delivered inexpensively by hiring university co-op students and focusing efforts on the elementary school audience.
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017

23. MWA Spring Workshop May 2017
Questions?
Education Programs and Services
Katya Seckar, Education Specialist
Megan McCombe, Specialist
MWA Spring Workshop May 2017