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Environmental Protection

Begins with You

A Guide to Environmental Community Service

1EPA


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Make a Difference in YourCommunityVolunteer!

This guide contains examples of

volunteer projects related to solid

waste management.Whether

youre an experienced volunteer or look-

ing to participate in service projects for

the first time, many benefits and opportu-

nities await you.Volunteering provides the

opportunity to enjoy new experiences,

meet new people, learn new skills, and

put ideas and talents to work.

We hope these stories will inspire and motivate YOU to make a difference by

participating in a local volunteer program or maybe even starting one of

your own. Be sure to check the resources on page 12 of this document for

additional ideas on volunteering.

About This Booklet

This booklet is the second volume of a series of casestudy documents and contains just a few examples of

volunteer projects related to solid waste management.Other examples are contained in Volunteer forChange: A Guide to Environmental Community Service,EPA530K01002, May 2001, which can be orderedfrom EPAs Web site at or by calling (800) 4909198. Manyother community groups and organizations existthroughout the United States as well.


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The ABCs of VolunteeringThinking of volunteering? You might want to consider the following:

What types of activities you are good at and like to do.

What you hope to learn by volunteering.

Whether you want an ongoing, regularly scheduled assignment, ashortterm assignment, or a onetime assignment.

Whether you want to work alone, with a group, or with a friend orfamily members.

What kind of people you want to work withboth in terms of who isreceiving services and who your coworkers might be.

Whether you are willing to participate in a training course or want tostart your volunteer work immediately.

So, youve decided you want to volunteer for activities related to solid wastemanagement, including waste reduction, recycling, composting, or house-hold hazardous waste. Now its time to contact an organization that coulduse your help, such as:

Your municipalitys solid waste management program, recyclingcenters, or special household hazardous waste collection sites.

Master Composter, Master Recycler, or Master Gardener programs inyour community.

A 4H or Cooperative Extension office in your local community or

your state.

Local college or university environmental groups.

National environmental organizations with branches in your area.

Local environmental groups.

Organizations listed in the Resourcessection of this booklet.

Check your local phone book or the Internet for contact information, suchas addresses and phone numbers.


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Contents

RReeccyycclliinnggPPrroojjeeccttssRaucous Revelry and Recycling

Penn State Beaver Stadium PostGame Recycling Volunteer Effort,State College,Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Living and Breathing Recycling at ASU

Arizona State University Recycling,Tempe,Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Kids of All Ages Get Their Recycling Kicks

Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, Glenview, Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Receptive Rural Recycling

Perry County Recycling, Perry County, Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

A History of Excellence

Seattle Universitys Recycling Program, Seattle,Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

RReeuussee,, RReeccyycclliinngg,, CCoommppoossttiinngg,, aanndd//oorr HHoouusseehhoollddHHaazzaarrddoouussWWaassttee PPrroojjeeccttss CCoommbbiinneeddFloridians Help Protect the Environment

Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County, Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Volunteers Instill an Environmental Ethic

Columbia Public Works, Columbia,Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

OOtthheerrFighting Illegal Dumping and Littering

PA CleanWays,Greensburg,Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Defending the Planet One Beat at a TimeRock the Earth,Denver, Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

RReessoouurrcceess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12GGlloossssaarryy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Contacts listed in this document are current as of the printing date. Note thatphone numbers and Web site addresses can change frequently.


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Raucous Revelry and

RecyclingPennStateBeaverStadiumPostGameRecyclingVolunteerEffortStateCollege,Pennsylvania

The Penn State Beaver Stadium PostGame RecyclingVolunteer Effort (PGRVE) strives to promote environ-mental sustainability through recycling and height-ened awareness of recycling, while also encouraging thePennsylvania State University students to become

engaged in public service through environmentalactivism.The first program of its kind in the UnitedStates, PGRVE is a collaborative initiative betweenstudents and the universitys Office of the PhysicalPlant.

After each Penn State home football game, typi-cally 50 to 75 students volunteer to collect thousands of pounds of recyclable plas-tic materials that otherwise would be discarded with regular trash collection.Whenthe other Nittany Lion fans are at home recapping the games highlights, these Penn

State students reenter the thenempty stadium, walking through the stands collect-ing recyclables left behind by the roughly 110,000 fans that attend each game.Often, this effort is further coordinated with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Nittany Lionfans, additional Penn State students, and other volunteer groups who walk in pairsthrough the parking lots and lines, collecting recyclable material from tailgaters andfans entering the stadium.

Materials collected through the PGRVE are recycled and the annual profits aredonated to the Centre County United Way. In its 10year history, PGRVE has collectednearly 300 tons of recyclables that would have otherwise required disposal.

Throughout the years, the program has shared its unique stadium recyclingapproach and plan with many other colleges and universities, including: the Air

Force Academy, the Ohio State University,University of Connecticut, University ofMichigan, University of Pittsburgh, University

Contact: of Tennessee, and University of Virginia, asAl Matyasovsky

well as with the National Football Leagues

119 Physical Plant BuildingPittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans.

University Park, PA 16802

Phone: (814) 8634719 Email: [email protected] Site: www.psu.edu

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Living and Breathing Recycling

at ASUArizona State University Recycling

Tempe, Arizona

By receiving college credits or communityservice hours (and maybe even getting avolunteer Tshirt) Arizona State University(ASU) Recycling volunteers gain even more thanthe satisfaction of participating in the campus

recycling and beautification activities.

ASU recycles practically everything under thesunwhite ledger and colored ledger paper(pastel, dark, neon), computer paper, newspapers(including inserts) catalogs (glue back and sta-pled), magazines (glue back and stapled), fax paper, envelopes (with or withoutwindows), file folders, bound books, phone books, chip board, batteries, printer car-tridges, cell phones, and even shoes.

Recycling volunteers can choose to participate in a wide variety of activitiessuch as posting flyers around campus, giving presentations, answering questions atinformation tables, or volunteering to help with Earth Day and America RecyclesDay events. One of the specific activities that volunteers engage in is putting signson various recycling bins to educate the ASU community about what may and maynot go into the bins.Volunteers routinely make rounds of the bins, replacing signs,and distributing educational information.

The recycling program not only has general student volunteers, but also hasRecycling Ambassadors who share their recycling knowledge with students in their

resident halls through presentations, brochures, games, and/or informationalposters.To become a Recycling Ambassador,students attend a onehour training class atthe ASU Recycling Facility. Recycling Contact:Ambassadors are also responsible for moni-toring the outdoor recycling collection con Kerry Susontainers and acting as liaisons between the Arizona State Universityhall and ASU Recycling. Recycling Program

ASU doesnt stop there.Arizona State 2325 E. Rio Salado Parkway

University: Clean & Beautiful, an initiative Tempe, AZ 85281sponsored by Arizona State UniversityRecycling, also provides volunteer opportuni

Phone: (480) 9657639

ties.Volunteers clean up areas around theEmail: [email protected]

campus that need attention, gathering trash, [email protected]

leaves, or other debris and recycle them, Web Site: http://recycle.asu.edu

whenever possible.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://property.asu.edu/recycle/http://property.asu.edu/recycle/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Kids of All Ages Get Their

Recycling KicksSolid Waste Agency of Northern

Cook CountyGlenview, Illinois

Volunteers from a county agency, amajor athletic company, and local Contact:high schools are working together tomake recycling happen.The Solid Waste Mary S.Allen

Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) Solid Waste Agency of Northern

serves 23 towns in Northern Cook County, Cook CountyIllinois, and Nike, Inc. offer high school stu 2700 Patriot Blvd. Suite 110

dents the opportunity to recycle athletic Glenview, IL 60026shoes through the companys ReuseAShoeprogram. SWANCCs program has been oper

Phone: (847) 7249205

ating for the past six years, three years as aEmail:[email protected]

pilot program and three years as a partici Web Site: www.swancc.org

pant in the national ReuseAShoe programpromoted by the National Recycling Nike, Inc.

Coalition.1 Bowerman DriveBeaverton, OR 97005

Each spring, SWANCC solicits studentvolunteers to assist during a threeday shoe Phone: (800) 8066453

collection drive.Throughout the years,volun Web Site:www.nikereuseashoe.comteers from 15 high schools have earnedbetween one and four hours of communityservice credit to help with this project andhave collected approximately 37,500 pairs ofathletic shoes for Nikes program.The shoes are sorted and boxed for shipment by

the high school volunteers.Hundreds of gently usedshoes have been donated tocharity.

On average, Nike processes between 1 million and 2 million pairs of athleticshoes each year through the ReuseAShoe Program to create a material known asNike Grind.Nike Grind is composed of shoes from postconsumer collections, Nikeshoes with material or workmanship flaws (defectives), and materials from the man-ufacturing of Nike footwear. Since its inception in 1993, Nikes ReuseAShoe pro-gram has recycled more than 16 million pairs of shoes. In addition, Nike has workedin concert with its community affairs initiative (NikeGo) to donate more than 170

basketball courts, tennis courts, tracks, fields, and playground surfaces made fromrecycled content to communities around the world.

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.swancc.org/http://www.swancc.org/http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/http://www.swancc.org/mailto:[email protected]


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SWANCCs close relationship with area schools and other entities has made itpossible to educate students and adults about the importance of reducing, reusing,recycling, and buying recycled. Nikes Air to Earth shoeboxcontaining a videoand a sliced shoe with samples ofNike Grind and sport surfaceshelps students understand the impor-

tance of closing the loop in aproducts life cycle.

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Receptive Rural RecyclingPerry County RecyclingPerry County, Pennsylvania

I t all started back in the mid1980s when the sixth grade class at GreenwoodElementary School implemented Millerstown, Pennsylvanias first recycling pro-gram as a way of earning extra money in this rural area. One Saturday eachmonth, the school collected glass, tin,and aluminum in 55gallon drums.When thedrums were full, a local farmer would put the drums on a truck and haul them to a

recycler. Unfortunately, after accounting for the transportation costs, not enoughprofit was realized and eventually the program was discontinued.

In February 1990,Greenwood Township,Tuscarora Township, and MillerstownBorough implemented a communitywide program within Perry County by collect-ing recyclables in the parking lot of Greenwood Elementary School. Perry Countystaff bagged the recyclables in large woven plastic salt bags obtained from a localplant. On a rotating basis, each municipality had the responsibility of hauling thematerials to the recycler.The profits earned from selling the recyclables helpeddefray some trucking fees and employee salaries.Although never profitable,the pro-

gram reduced the amount of waste headed to the landfill.

In the mid1990s, the Penn StateCooperative Extension helped Perry County

Contact:Recycling receive a grant from thePennsylvania Department of Environmental

Brenda Benner Protection.Through the grant,Perry County

201 Turkey Ridge Road purchased large rolloff bins, which are dis

Millerstown, PA 17062tributed to individual dropoff sites.

Phone: (717) 5893724 Collections at the countys individualdropoff sites occur once a month, and theEmail: [email protected]

county picks up the extra costs to move theWeb Site: www.perryco.org bins.Volunteers, including interested commu-

nity members, school groups, church groups,scouts, and Lions Club members, operate the

dropoff sites. Originally, Perry County onlycollected clear glass, bimetal cans, and aluminum, but recycling has now expandedto collect brown, green, and clear glass; cardboard; newspapers; aluminum; bimetalcans; and recyclable plastics.

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A History of ExcellenceSeattle Universitys Recycling ProgramSeattle, Washington

Waste reduction and recycling on Seattle Universitys campus began in1988, with smallscale ventures by individual offices and student groupsthat collected aluminum cans to raise party funds and do somethinggood for the environment.As the cost of solid waste disposal increased,theuniversity began to realize that institutionalizing recycling efforts could be both

environmentally and economically advantageous.

In 1993, the university recognized the need for a special unit within FacilityOperations that specifically dealt with campuswide environmental issues.TheEnvironmental Services Office (ESO) was established, and the positions ofEnvironmental Safety Technician and Environmental Coordinator were created.Some of the many responsibilities of the new office included establishing a com-prehensive solid waste managementplan, assisting in the development ofpurchasing policies and guidelines that

support waste reduction strategies and Contact:techniques, and producing a compre-hensive campus educational program

Tyler Dierks

about waste reduction and recycling. Seattle University901 12th Ave

As with many large institutions, the Seattle,WA 98122opportunities to reduce waste or reusematerials at colleges and universities are Phone: (206) 2966290

practically limitless.They can be found Email: [email protected]

almost anywhere on campus where Web Site: www.seattleu.edu

waste materials are generated, includingoffices, classrooms, libraries, mailrooms,campus stores, student unions, food serv-ice areas, dormitories, and at special events. Because these opportunities were recog-nized early on, Seattle Universitys waste reduction and recycling program has beena success.

During the first two years of the program1988 and 1989data from a cam-puswide waste audit showed that the recycling rate was between 31 and 37 per-cent.With increased educational efforts aimed at staff and students, along with

greater accessibility to recycling containers, the recycling rate has risen to 62 per-cent. In 2003, the university recycled 745 tons of materials and saved $57,000through recycling, composting, and diversion. Not limited to standard recyclablessuch as mixed paper, cardboard, plastic and glass bottles, and steel and aluminumcans, the university also collects fluorescent tubes, batteries, computers, scrap

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metals, ink cartridges, books, pal-lets, and noncompostable scrapwood. It also conducts surplus salesand recycles construction anddemolition debris.

The university also operates anorganics recycling program thatincludes composting preconsumerfood scraps and coffee grounds atits onsite composting facility.Landscaping debris is sent off cam-pus to be composted. In addition,campus staff practices grasscycling(allowing mowed grass clippings tobreak down naturally in the lawns

and feed the soil), and using coarse woodchip mulch from local tree services inplanting beds.

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Floridians Help Protect the

EnvironmentSolid Waste Authority of Palm Beach

CountyPalm Beach County, Florida

Community volunteers play a vitalrole in disseminating informa Contact:tion, educating residents, and pro-moting the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) Linda Moreno

of Palm Beach Countys environmental Volunteer Coordinator

efforts.These volunteers are a valuable Solid Waste Authority of PBCasset to SWAs programs because of their 7501 North Jog Road

dedication to the environment and will West Palm Beach, FL 33412

ingness to promote SWA messages. Phone: (561) 6404000 ext.4327

Implemented in 1994, the SWA volun Email: [email protected] program assists SWA in reducing Web Site: www.swa.organnual solid waste generation in PalmBeach County. SWA volunteers supportthe communitys environmental initiatives

in numerous ways:

NeighbortoNeighborThis communitybased program, available to all PalmBeach County residents, promotes the three Rs of solid waste management(reduce,reuse,and recycle) at the grassroots level.Volunteers are proactivein their communities by educating their families, friends, neighbors, andcoworkers about waste prevention and recycling.

Green TeamVolunteers assist SWA staff with special events held through-out the county. These events are designed to educate residents about theauthoritys waste prevention and recycling programs.

Litter Matters: AdoptASpotAdoptASpot involves the adoption of specificareas by individuals or organizations for litter abatement and beautification.When these spots are officially adopted, the adopter assumes responsibilityfor ensuring the specific area is kept litter free. Although collecting litter anddebris is the main objective, mowing, edging, and other forms of mainte-nance and beautification can also be part of the effort.

Office SupportVolunteers assist SWA staff with various administrativeduties.Volunteers assist the Recycling and Customer Information ServicesDepartments by answering telephone calls, filing, data entry, and sendingout mailings.

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Volunteers Instill an

Environmental EthicColumbia Public Works

Columbia, Missouri

W ith a mission statement thatemphasizes utilizing theunique talents, skills, andknowledge of volunteers to extendwaste reduction and environmental

cleanup programs, the Columbia PublicWorks volunteer program is an integralpart of the community.Volunteers areinvolved in numerous activities, rangingfrom assisting at household hazardouswaste collections to teaching compostworkshops, distributing compost bins,researching and writing informationalpublications, and helping to promote

events such as Earth Day and A Day With Wildlife.Volunteers even get the opportu-nity to wear a costume at schools and events and work on campaigns such as theUse Less Stuff holiday campaign.

One of the most popular events is the Recyclabration. Held in the childrensarea at the Columbia Festival of the Arts, it has become an attraction for all ages.Volunteers collect materials for use in making artistic creations and set up tables atwhich participants can work. In fall 2005, hundreds of people crammed the tablesmaking envelopes from old calendars, flowers out of plastic sixpack plastic rings,and art from CDs and phone wires.The opportunity is used to promote waste

reduction, reuse, and recycling, to educate people about the importance of properrecycling and the location of recycling collection sites for special materials, and toanswer questions.Attendees enjoy being given the opportunity to use their creativi-ty, and because the materials are all things that would otherwise be thrown away,they feel uninhibited about using them.

Volunteers are also helping shape the future of recycling in the county by edu-cating children about recycling.Columbia Public Works is combating a contamina-tionproblem at the citys material recovery facility, meaning residents are mixingnonrecyclables with recyclables which contaminatesthe materials and slows

down the sorting and recovery process.Volunteers help instill children with the knowl-edge to make them good recyclers from ayoung age. Several schools have shown interestin this effort and promote activities and class-es so that every student can learn how toproperly collect recyclables.

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Contact:Christine Gardener, Program AssistantGrissum Building

P.O. Box 6015Columbia, MO 65205

Phone: (573) 8746271Email:[email protected] Site:www.gocolumbiamo.com
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.gocolumbiamo.com/http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/mailto:[email protected]


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Fighting Illegal Dumping and

LitteringPA CleanWays

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Every county in Pennsylvania is plagued with numerous illegal dump sites.Tohelp combat this problem, PA CleanWays, a statewide nonprofit organization,fights illegal dumping and littering through a comprehensive approach thatincludes facilitating community cleanups, addressing problem disposal items, offer-ing education,beautification,and adoption opportunities.The organization,which

has a network of grassroots chapters and affiliates throughout the state, also pro-vides technical assistance to individuals, groups, organizations, and companiesinterested in safely cleaning up illegal dump sites and keeping them clean.

PA CleanWays solicits volun-teers interested in making a dif-ference through participating inor organizing a cleanup. PACleanWays has found that manyof the common items in illegal

dumps include tires (found inmore than 90 percent ofPennsylvanias illegal dumps),household products (e.g., clean-ing supplies, diapers, paints, oil),and various toxic items.Unfortunately, household garbagecan contain chemicals and otherliquids that can eventually seep

into and pollute the groundwater. Other items improperly dumped include appli-ances, furniture, vehicles and auto parts, and construction and remodeling debris.Furthermore, one of the more surprising items found are compostable materialssuch as yard clippings.

Illegal dumping is an ongoing problem; cleanupsalone wont solve it. Monitoring dump locations,increasing successful prosecutions, addressing prob-lem disposal items, increasing affordable and conven-ient recycling or disposal opportunities, and

providing public education are also needed.

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Contact:Karen McCalpinPA CleanWays

105 West Fourth StreetGreensburg, PA 156012981

Phone: (724) 8364121Email: [email protected] Site: www.pacleanways.org
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pacleanways.org/http://www.pacleanways.org/http://www.pacleanways.org/http://www.pacleanways.org/mailto:[email protected]


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Defending the Planet

One Beat at a TimeRock the Earth

Denver, Colorado

Rock the Earth, founded in 2002 byenvironmental attorney MarcRoss, is dedicated to bringingabout positive and beneficial environ-mental changes through active litigation

and negotiation on behalf of members ofthe music industry, their fans, and thegeneral public.The organization alsofocuses its efforts on reducing the eco-logical footprint of music tours throughthe use of recycling, biodiesel fuel fortour buses and trucks, organic clothingfor merchandise, and wind power creditsto offset tour emissions.The organization

consists of a 25person volunteer staff ofenvironmental attorneys, technical consultants, public relations professionals, mar-keting and media relations experts, and a fundraising team.

The organization strives to become the primary voice of the music indus-try as it pertains to current environmental initiatives by 1) bringing togeth-er members of the music industry, their fans, and the environmentalcommunity in order to publicize environmental issues of mutualconcern, and 2) providing specialized, experienced, passionate,and pragmatic environmental, legal, and technical assistance

to individuals and communities affected by past, current,or proposed activities that threaten the environment,natural resources, and/or human health.

Contact:Marc A. RossRock the Earth

1536 Wynkoop St.Suite #B200Denver, CO 80202

Phone: (303) 4543304Email: [email protected] Site: www.RockTheEarth.org

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Resources1800Volunteer.Org

Points of Light Foundation

1400 I Street, NW

Suite 800

Washington, DC 20005Phone: (202) 7298000

Email: [email protected]

Web Site: www.1800volunteer.org

1800Volunteer.org connects you to volun-teer opportunities in your community,helps you track your volunteer service,and sends you automatic email notifica-tionsenabling you to respond whenyoure needed most.You can also conduct

a search for volunteer opportunities basedon issue and zip code.

America Recycles Day

Web Site: www.americarecyclesday.org

America Recycles Day is a national grassroots campaign dedicated to increasingthe purchase of recycledcontent productsand recycling throughout America.

Action Without Borders

360 West 31st Street, Suite 1510

New York, NY 10001

Phone: (212) 8433973

Fax: (212) 5643377

Web Site: www.idealist.org

This organization maintains an Internetdatabase, Idealist, which currently boaststhe most detailed community of nonprofitand volunteering resources on the Web.Information is provided by 20,000 organi-zations in 140 countries.Volunteers cansearch for opportunities based on a vari-ety of criteria, including their area of inter-est, geographic location, or the duration oftime they are available.

Citizens Environmental Coalition

33 Central Avenue

Albany, NY 12210

Phone: (518) 4625527

Fax: (518) 4658349Web Site: www.cectoxic.org

The Citizens Environmental Coalition is astatewide environmental organization thataims to eliminate pollution inthe state of New York.Volunteers work toempower, educate, andassist others who areconcerned about envi-

ronmental problems andto eliminate solid wasteand create healthier com-munities.

Cornell Composting

Web Site: http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.html

This Web site offers a comprehensive list-

ing of composting resources as well asexamples and case studies from CornellsWaste Management Institute.

Corporation for National & CommunityService

1201 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20525

Phone: (202) 6065000

Email:[email protected]

Web Site: www.cns.gov

National service partnerships offer oppor-tunities for businesses, foundations, nonprofits, educational institutions, local andstate governments, and others to extendtheir reach and further their effect oncommunities.The Corporation for

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.1-800-volunteer.org/http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/http://www.americarecyclesday.org/http://www.americarecyclesday.org/http://www.americarecyclesday.org/http://www.idealist.org/http://www.idealist.org/http://www.cectoxic.org/http://www.cectoxic.org/http://www.cectoxic.org/http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htmlhttp://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htmlhttp://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htmlhttp://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htmlhttp://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cns.gov/http://www.cns.gov/http://www.cns.gov/http://www.cns.gov/mailto:[email protected]://www.idealist.org/http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/composting.htmlhttp://www.americarecyclesday.org/http://www.cectoxic.org/http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/mailto:[email protected]


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National Service currently has three mainservice initiativesLearn and ServeAmerica,AmeriCorps,and the NationalSenior Service Corpsas well as partner-ships with other national organizations.

Earth 911

Web Site: www.earth911.org

This site can help you locate local envi-ronmental information and recycling cen-ters for all types of recyclables based onZIP code.

Earth Force1908 Mount Vernon Avenue

Second Floor

Alexandria,VA 22301

Phone: (800) 23FORCE (2336723)

Fax: (703) 2999485


Web Site: www.earthforce.org

Earth Force engages young people as

active citizens to improve the environmentand their communities now and in thefuture. Earth Force offers training and sup-porting educators in programs that enableyoung people to lead community actionprojects focused on creating sustainablesolutions to local environment issues inthe community.

EcoCycle

Phone: (303) 444.6634 (Boulder, CO)Email: [email protected]

Web Site: www.ecocycle.org

EcoCycle believes in indi-vidual and communityaction to transform soci-etys throwaway ethic intoenvironmentally friendlystewardship. Its mission isto provide publicly

accountable recycling;offer conservation andeducation services; andidentify, explore, anddemonstrate the emergingfrontiers of sustainableresource management.

Environmental Alliance for SeniorInvolvement (EASI)

P.O. Box 250

Catlett,VA 201190250

Phone: (540) 7883274Fax: (540) 7889301

Web Site: www.easi.org

EASIs mission is to build, promote, and uti-lize the environmental ethic, expertise, andcommitment of older adults to expand cit-izen involvement in protecting and caringfor the environment. In addition to provid-ing information on senior environmentalprograms, EASI publishes a quarterly

newsletter as well as a resource guide tonational projects.

Hands On Network (formerly City Cares)

600 Means Street, Suite 110

Atlanta, GA 30318

Phone: (404) 9792900

Fax: (404) 9792901

Web Site: www.citycares.org

Hands On Network is a national civicmovement bringing people together totackle tough community problems.

Keep America Beautiful (KAB)

1010 Washington Boulevard

Stamford, CT 06901

Phone: (203) 3238987

Fax: (203) 3259199


Web Site: www.kab.org

KAB is a nonprofit organization whosenetwork of local, state, and internationalaffiliate programs educates individualsabout litter prevention and ways toreduce, reuse, recycle, and properly man-age waste materials.Their programs focuson enabling local volunteers to acquirethe skills, tools, and resources to worktogether in building quality communities.Through partnerships and strategicalliances with citizens, businesses, andgovernment, KABs programs motivate mil-lions of volunteers annually to clean up,beautify, and improve their neighbor-hoods, thereby creating healthier, safer, andmore livable community environments.

13
http://www.earth911.org/http://www.earth911.org/http://www.earth911.org/http://www.earth911.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.earthforce.org/http://www.earthforce.org/http://www.earthforce.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ecocycle.org/http://www.ecocycle.org/http://www.ecocycle.org/http://www.easi.org/http://www.easi.org/http://www.easi.org/http://www.citycares.org/http://www.citycares.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.kab.org/http://www.kab.org/http://www.kab.org/http://www.ecocycle.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.kab.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.easi.org/http://www.citycares.org/http://www.earthforce.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.earth911.org/


18/24

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

Campus Ecology Program

11100 Wildlife Center Drive

Reston,VA 201905362

Phone: (703) 4386000Web Site: www.nwf.org/campusecology

Since its founding in 1989, NWFs CampusEcology Program has become a corner-stone conservation initiative in higher edu-cation.The program works to transformthe nations college campuses into livingmodels of an ecologically sustainablesociety, to train a new generation of envi-ronmental leaders, and to ensure a strong

future for Americas environmental move-

book of successful programs

and activities.

ment. Its primary goal is to reducethe need to r

of eneinvent the wheel

vironmental action fromcampus to campus by com-municating to campusorganizers what other envi-ronmental leaders havealready learned. NWFsWeb site features a year-

Network for Good

8615 Westwood Center Dr.

Suite 1A

Vienna,VA 22182

Phone: (866) 6504636

Fax: (703) 2656811

Web Site: www.networkforgood.org

Network for Good is a nonprofit organiza-tion that connects individuals with theirfavorite charitiesmaking online dona-tions, exploring volunteer opportunities,and learning more about the causes thatmatter most.

14

Points of Light Foundation

1400 I Street, NW, Suite 800


Phone: (202) 7298000

Fax: (202) 7298100Web Site: www.pointsoflight.org

The Points of Light Foundations mission isto engage more people more effectively involunteer community service to help solveserious social problems.The Foundation,among other things, assists employers indeveloping workplace volunteer programsand helps develop youth service leadersand youth service programs.

Seattle Works

312 First Avenue, N.

Suite 200

Seattle,WA 98109

Phone: (206) 3240808

Fax: (206) 3240817


Web Site: www.seattleworks.org

Seattle Works was founded in 1989 by agroup of young adults who saw the needto involve their peers in community serv-ice.The organization has since developedseveral innovative volunteer programs thatmobilize people to get involved in theircommunity. Seattle Works operates on thepremise that people in their 20s and 30swant to give back to their communities,but often just dont know how or where to

do it most effectively.

Student Conservation Association (SCA)

689 River Road

Charlestown, NH 036030550

Phone: (603) 5431700

Fax: (603) 5431828

Web Site: www.scainc.org

SCA is Americas largest and oldestprovider of national and community con-servation service opportunities, outdooreducation, and career training for youth.SCA volunteers and interns annually per-form more than 1 million hours of conser-vation service in national parks, forests,refuges, and urban areas in all 50 states.
http://www.nwf.org/campusecologyhttp://www.nwf.org/campusecologyhttp://www.networkforgood.org/http://www.networkforgood.org/http://www.networkforgood.org/http://www.networkforgood.org/http://www.pointsoflight.org/http://www.pointsoflight.org/http://www.pointsoflight.org/http://www.pointsoflight.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.seattleworks.org/http://www.seattleworks.org/http://www.seattleworks.org/http://www.sca-inc.org/http://www.sca-inc.org/http://www.sca-inc.org/http://www.sca-inc.org/http://www.nwf.org/campusecologyhttp://www.pointsoflight.org/http://www.seattleworks.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.networkforgood.org/http://www.sca-inc.org/


19/24

Recyclers World

Web Site: www.recycle.net

This site is a worldwide trading center forinformation related to secondary or recy-

clable commodities, byproducts, and usedand surplus items or materials.The sitealso offers a calendar of events, a listing ofassociations, and a publications list.

The Compost Resource Page

Web Site: www.oldgrowth.org/compost

This site offers a detailed overview of com-posting and a list of additional resources

on home composting and vermicompost-ing, as well as composting toilets.

The Freecycle Network

P.O. Box 294

Tucson,AZ 85702


Web Site: www.freecycle.org

Freecycle aims to build a worldwide gift-

ing movement that reduces waste, savesprecious resources, and eases the burdenon landfills while enabling members tobenefit from the strength of a larger com-munity. Membership is free. Individuals ina given community give and receiveunwanted items as a way to reuse andrecycle.

The Master Composter Site

Web Site: www.mastercomposter.com

Visitors to this site can learn everythingthey might ever want to know about mak-ing and using compost.The information isgeared toward home composters andincludes directions on how to build acompost pile and contact information forlocal composting programs.

The Heart of America Foundation

401 F Street, NW

Suite 325

Washington, DC 2002

Phone: (202) 3476278Fax: (202) 3478599

Web Site: www.heartofamerica.org

The Heart of America Foundation is anational humanitarian network that cele-brates, honors, and empowers both youngpeople and adults. Oneof its initiatives, HeartCorps, is a collegescholarship program

that rewards studentswith financial creditsfor their future educa-tion based on time vol-unteered forcommunity service.Heart Corps gives stu-dents an opportunity tonourish their selfesteem, improve theirneighborhoods, and earn financial creditstoward their education through serving

their communities.

The U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgencys Office of Solid Waste (OSW)

Web Site: www.epa.gov/osw

OSW provides detailed information onhow to reduce, reuse, and recycle as wellas on composting and source reduction.The site also provides an extensive list of

links to relevant sites.

The U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgencys Environmentally PreferablePurchasing Program (EPP)

Web Site: www.epa.gov/epp

EPP is a nationwide program that encour-ages and assists executive agencies in thepurchasing of environmentally preferable

products and services.This site includestools to implement EPP, successful storiesand events, and an EPP discussion sec-tion.

15
http://www.recycle.net/http://www.recycle.net/http://www.recycle.net/http://www.oldgrowth.org/composthttp://www.oldgrowth.org/composthttp://www.oldgrowth.org/composthttp://www.freecycle.org/http://www.freecycle.org/http://www.mastercomposter.com/http://www.mastercomposter.com/http://www.mastercomposter.com/http://www.mastercomposter.com/http://www.heartofamerica.org/http://www.heartofamerica.org/http://www.heartofamerica.org/http://www.epa.gov/oswhttp://www.epa.gov/oswhttp://www.epa.gov/oswhttp://www.epa.gov/oswhttp://www.epa.gov/epphttp://www.epa.gov/epphttp://www.epa.gov/epphttp://www.epa.gov/epphttp://www.recycle.net/http://www.heartofamerica.org/http://www.oldgrowth.org/composthttp://www.freecycle.org/http://www.mastercomposter.com/http://www.epa.gov/oswhttp://www.epa.gov/epp


20/24

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Volunteer Clearinghouse

Phone: (800) 8658337

Web Site: www.orn.usace.army.mil/

volunteerThe U.S.Army Corps of EngineersVolunteer Clearinghouse is a nationwide,tollfree hotline for individuals who wantto volunteer their time with the Corps. Bycalling the hotline, a potential volunteercan express interest in any Corps projectnationwide.The Clearinghouse gives theindividual a point of contact for the areathey have requested, as well as written

information about the areas volunteeropportunities.

VolunteerMatch

385 Grove Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: (415) 2416872

Fax: (415) 2416869

Web Site: www.volunteermatch.org

VolunteerMatch, a service of the nonprofitgroup ImpactOnline, uses the Internet tohelp individuals nationwide find volunteeropportunities.VolunteerMatchs onlinedatabase allows volunteers to search thou-sands of onetime and ongoing opportuni-ties by ZIP code, category, and date.

Youth Serve America (YSA)

1101 15th Street NW

Suite 200


Phone: (202) 2962992Web Site: www.servenet.org

YSA is a resource center and an allianceof more than 200 organizations committedto increasing the quantity and quality ofopportunities for young Americans toserve locally, nationally, or globally.YSAsmission is to strengthen the effectiveness,sustainability, and scale of the youth serv-ice movement.YSA believes a strong youth

service movement will create healthycommunities and foster citizenship, knowl-edge, and personal development of youngpeople.

16
http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteerhttp://www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteerhttp://www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteerhttp://www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteerhttp://www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteerhttp://www.volunteermatch.org/http://www.volunteermatch.org/http://www.volunteermatch.org/http://www.volunteermatch.org/http://www.servenet.org/http://www.servenet.org/http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/volunteerhttp://www.servenet.org/http://www.volunteermatch.org/


21/24

GlossaryBiodegrade: To decompose under natural conditionsthe breakdown of a com-pound to simpler chemicals by microorganisms.

Compost: A crumbly, earthy, sweetsmelling mixture of decomposing organic matter(e.g., leaves, food scraps) that is often used to improve the texture, waterretaining

capacity, and aeration of soil.

Grasscycling: Source reduction activity in which grass clippings are left on thelawn after mowing.The practice consists of mowing grass so it is never more thantwo to three inches tall.The grass clippings are left where they fall and allowed todecompose, returning nutrients to the lawn.

Household hazardous waste (HHW): Small quantities of unused or leftover haz-ardous products used in the home that become waste. Paints, pesticides, and somecleaners are examples of household hazardous waste. Caution must be taken when

handling, storing, or disposing of these products.Landfill: An engineered disposal site where solid wastes are deposited, compactedto the smallest practical volume, and covered by soil or other material applied atthe end of each operating day. Hazardous wastes are taken to special disposal sitesselected and designed to minimize the chance of releasing hazardous substancesinto the environment.

Municipal solid waste: Wastes such as durable goods, disposable goods, containersand packaging, food scraps, yard trimmings, and miscellaneous inorganic wastesfrom households, certain commercial establishments (e.g., businesses or restau-rants), institutions (e.g., schools or hospitals), and some industrial sources. It doesnot include nonhazardous industrial wastes, sewage, agricultural waste, hazardous

waste,or construction and demolition waste.Also knownas garbage, trash, refuse, or debris.

Recyclable: Material that still has useful physical orchemical properties after serving its original purpose andcan be reused or remanufactured to make new products.Plastic, paper, glass, steel and aluminum cans, and usedoil are examples of recyclable materials.

17


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Recycling: Collecting, sorting, processing, and converting materials that would havebeen thrown away into raw materials used to make the same or new products.

Refurbish: To repair, clean, and make useful again. Some electronic manufacturingcompanies and other businesses take back used equipment, refurbish it,

and sell it again.

Source reduction: Any change in the design, manufacture, pur-chase, or use of materials or products (including packaging) toreduce their amount or toxicity before they become municipalsolid waste. Source reduction also refers to the reuse of productsor materials.

Trash: Items that are discarded because they no longer work andare uneconomical or impossible to reuse, repair, or recycle.

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Notes

19


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