Sponsored Post – from Texas Disposal Systems

At Texas Disposal Systems (TDS), we strive to make a positive and lasting impact on the future by helping schools manage and divert waste to beneficial uses. That’s why we created the TDS Eco Academy, a program that educates K-12 students in Central Texas about trash, recycling, and composting options in their schools, as well as diversion best practices.

We announced the program last week at an event at Odom Elementary School in Austin. The program was designed to teach the next generation the importance of minimizing waste and equip students with the tools needed to lead green lifestyles.

TDS works with more than 336 schools to implement campus-wide recycling, plus compostables collection in cafeterias. The company has been working with Central Texas schools for 13 years to incorporate recycling and composting education, but is expanding and formalizing the process to include a curriculum, supplemental materials, and more.

As part of the Eco Academy program, TDS provides curriculum and educational materials to staff and administrators, as well as students, instructing them how to recycle and divert waste, and why it’s important. The curriculum incorporates age-appropriate learning activities and is designed for teachers to develop a program that works best for them and their students.

Along with a formal curriculum, the TDS Eco Academy program also includes educational videos, classroom signage and other collateral, to make learning fun and enable real world application. Each school’s participation is documented and diversion data is made available on the Eco Academy website. With these reports, students and schools can see firsthand how their actions are affecting positive change.

It’s our hope that by educating students about recycling and composting at a young age, they will better understand the importance of minimizing waste and develop lifelong, eco-friendly habits.

Learn more about the TDS Eco Academy and how to get involved at www.ecoacademy.org.