The District offers free field trips, including transportation. To qualify for these, schools must be registered with the District’s Recycling Assistance Program, be willing to teach 3 classroom hours about municipal solid waste issues, and agree to distribute and discuss Hamilton County’s “Recycling Pledge” brochure. For more information on how to register with the Recycling Assistance Program, email Cher Mohring or call 513-946-7737. The following are descriptions for these popular field trips:

Compost Kids

Grades: Pre-K–6
Location: Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Program offered in the fall and spring of every year.

Students learn about composting, healthy soil, and environmentally friendly gardening from Master Gardeners while participating in a number of hands-on activities. The trip is limited to a maximum of 30 students per day. Limited time slots available so be sure to submit applications today. Completed Compost Kids application may be mailed or faxed to the District at 513-946-7779.

America Recycles Day at the Zoo

Grades: 1-5
Location: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Friday, November 15, 2013

Students will use a passport to explore the grounds of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden to learn how recycling helps not only people but creatures all over the world. Application and further information may be found here. Applications due by October 11, 2013. This popular field trip fills up fast.

Where Does All the Garbage Go?

Grades: 1–8
Location: Rumpke Landfill and LaBoiteaux Woods
Program offered Wednesday in January/February and March of every year.

This two-part trip includes a tour of the Rumpke landfill and a demonstration of recycling in nature at LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Center. At Rumpke, students witness up-close views of an active, working landfill. A Rumpke representative guides students to various operation sites, such as the working face, the methane gas recovery system, the truck wash, and parts of the mining operation. Students learn about Rumpke’s history, the different vehicles used, and the many ways our environment is protected from this mountain of garbage. The 45-minute tour at Rumpke Landfill is entirely on a bus. At Cincinnati Parks' LaBoiteaux Woods, students will participate in an interactive program that includes a hike to observe decomposition and natural cycles, followed by games and activities about recycling, composting, and natural cycles. Students will make comparisons of the many ways both ecosystems and humans recycle. The program is designed to present Ohio Content Standards related to renewable and non-renewable resources, and reducing and recycling solid waste. Completed Where Does All the Garbage Go? applications may be mailed or faxed to the District at 513-946-7779.

Rumpke Sanitary Landfill

Grades: 1–Adult
Location: Colerain Township

The tour begins with a brief history of the company and a demonstration of how trucks are weighed. Rumpke’s tour bus then travels around the landfill while the guide explains exactly what happens after garbage leaves our homes. Tours are offered on Wednesdays, and last approximately 45 minutes. E-mail Sara Cullin at sara.cullin@rumpke.com or call 513-741-2617 to schedule this field trip.

Municipal Solid Waste Travel Reimbursement Program

Need a Free Bus? You could qualify for bus transportation reimbursement to the landfill, recycling center, or other locations with municipal solid waste education programs. Completed Travel Reimbursement Program applications can be faxed to the District at 513-946-7779.