Sample images from the Kindergarten Curriculum
Project Zero Waste
A partnership between the Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors program and OC Waste & Recycling
📚 Project Zero Waste Curriculum (Grades TK–12)
Project Zero Waste is a free curriculum designed to support waste reduction learning through engaging, real-world experiences.
Students explore sustainability concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and take action through hands-on, inquiry-based lessons.
📥 Request Curriculum Access
To receive Project Zero Waste curriculum materials, please complete the interest form below.
👉 Request Project Zero Waste Curriculum Access
A member of our team will follow up to share the appropriate materials for your selected grade level(s).
📊 Availability
- Currently available: Transitional Kindergarten (TK) – Grade 5
- Grades 6–12: In development (you may submit the form to be notified when available)
🧭 How It Works
- Submit the curriculum interest form
- Receive grade-level materials via email
- Implement lessons in your classroom
- Extend learning through family engagement activities
👩🏫 Who Can Participate
Project Zero Waste is available to:
- K–12 educators across Orange County
- Classroom teachers
- After-school and expanded learning program staff
- Environmental and sustainability educators
🏡 Family Engagement Resources
Family engagement materials are included with the curriculum to help extend learning beyond the classroom.
These resources:
- Encourage family conversations about waste and sustainability
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Provide simple, actionable activities for home
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Support student learning through real-world application
Available languages:
- English
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Spanish
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Vietnamese
🏆 Recognition & Teacher Incentives
Participating teachers and schools may be eligible for recognition and incentives.
In previous programs, schools have been recognized by community partners such as:
- Los Angeles Angels
- Anaheim Ducks
Opportunities for recognition may include:
- Classroom or school participation highlights
- Submission of student work or projects
- School-wide engagement in Project Zero Waste
Additional details will be shared with participating teachers.
🌎 OC Waste & Recycling Resources
Enhance your instruction with additional resources from OC Waste & Recycling:
- Educational videos and classroom activities
- Waste reduction and recycling guides
- Posters and visual learning materials
- Family-friendly educational tools
👉 Access OC Waste & Recycling Resources
🚌 Landfill Field Trip Experience (Grades 4-12)
A limited number of participating schools may have the opportunity to participate in a landfill field trip experience as an extension of the Project Zero Waste curriculum.
This experience:
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Provides a real-world connection to classroom learning
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Helps students understand how waste is managed locally
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Reinforces concepts related to waste reduction and sustainability
Trip opportunities are:
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Offered to a limited number of schools
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Coordinated separately from the curriculum request process
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Not required to participate in Project Zero Waste
Selected schools will receive additional information and coordination details.
📍 Contact
For questions about Project Zero Waste or support with implementation:
