When recycling feels confusing, learning does not have to be.
Lunchrooms are loud. Trash cans fill fast. Recycling looks different in every classroom. Most students want to do the right thing, but may not be given the time, tools, or shared understanding to do it well.
That is where we come in.
Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub partners with schools to turn everyday waste into hands on learning. Through our (Re)Think Waste presentations, students slow down and look more closely at what they ‘throw away’.
They begin to understand what actually belongs in the garbage, recycling, or somewhere else entirely.
How the (Re)Think Waste program works
Our school presentations follow a simple three part flow designed to meet students where they are and build toward real action inside your school community. Each session is interactive, age appropriate, and grounded in what students already see and touch every day.
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We start with curiosity. Students explore what waste actually is, where it goes, and why it matters. We invite questions, confusion, and honest reactions. This is where students begin to realize that waste is not just something that disappears, it is something we can understand.
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Next, students get hands on. We work together to identify common classroom and cafeteria items and talk through what can be recycled, reused, or kept out of the garbage entirely. This is where confidence grows. Students begin to see patterns, not just rules.
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We close by connecting learning to action. Students leave with a clearer sense of responsibility and practical steps they can take at school and at home. Teachers leave with shared language and systems that are easier to reinforce long term.
After your school participates in a (Re)Think Waste presentation, you receive a digital toolkit from the Hub to help put ideas into practice. These resources support staff and students as you set up a recycling system that makes sense for your building, with additional guidance from our Off Site Collections Coordinator along the way.
We work together to choose the right collection setup, create a clear recycling guide, and share expectations so everyone knows what goes where.
You may also spot a familiar face. Hubert the Trashcot shows up in presentations and materials to highlight key ideas, point out common mix ups, and help students feel more comfortable sorting waste.
If you are interested in bringing the Hub to your school, the first step is requesting a (Re)Think Waste presentation.
From there, we will follow up to learn more about your students, your space, and what support would be most helpful.
For questions about school partnerships or other ways to collaborate, feel free to reach out at presentations@cintirrh.org
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