A brighter future for kids & the planet
The TerraCycle Foundation works to remove ocean plastic from heavily polluted waterways. But we also know that it takes even more to keep our planet clean for future generations. That’s why in tandem with our world-class ocean plastic collection and recycling solutions, we’ve created the Green School Program, which allows us to leverage our close partnerships with local communities, organizations, and governments.
We teach our future leaders—students—how to care for the planet and raise environmental awareness for generations to come. This program not only educates students on recycling and sustainability, but it also provides hands-on learning opportunities and helps build students’ confidence in leadership.
About the program
Through educational workshops, hands-on canal cleanups, and mentorship from our experts, the Green School Program not only gets students in Thailand directly involved in cleaning up ocean plastic but engages them in actions that improve conditions in their own communities. Students learn about how plastic enters the world’s waterways, how we collect and sort it for recycling, and how the TerraCycle Foundation ensures that waste is disposed of properly.
Additionally, participating schools receive ongoing mentoring from our team of experts, who visit the schools and guide students and teachers in setting up and managing an effective Waste Bank adapted to their unique school environment and ensuring its long-term success.
Your donation of $170 covers the cost of participation for one child from a less privileged community. 100% of your donation directly funds TerraCycle Green School programs and ocean waste prevention initiatives.
What students learn
Our Green School Program gives students a hands-on understanding of environmental challenges. In a gamified setting, they collaborate to design, refine, and vote on a custom sustainability and recycling program for their school—with expert guidance from our waste management team.
CLEANUP & COLLECTION
Students experience “a day in the life” of our collection team. They begin with a boat tour of the Lat Prao Canal, one of the most polluted canals in Bangkok. This allows them to witness where all the trash goes, and students get to see a side many of them have never seen before. The students then have the opportunity to collect waste themselves from the community, the canals, and from our waste traps. The first part of their journey helps them see and understand the damage mismanaged waste causes to communities, the environment, and wildlife.
SORTING & SEPARATING
Students experience “a day in the life” of our collection team. They begin with a boat tour of the Lat Prao Canal, one of the most polluted canals in Bangkok. This allows them to witness where all the trash goes, and students get to see a side many of them have never seen before. The students then have the opportunity to collect waste themselves from the community, the canals, and from our waste traps. The first part of their journey helps them see and understand the damage mismanaged waste causes to communities, the environment, and wildlife.
GREEN SCHOOL SET UP
With the team onsite at the school for a workshop, students learn how to find waste problems in their school and community, and develop their own sustainable solutions. This creates a stronger sense of ownership and allows them to develop a program that is best suited their school and students, and is more likely to become a long-term solution. The tools, equipment, scales, bins, etc., that are required to set up the waste bank are provided, and we will build or renovate an area at the school for their Green School Waste Bank.
MANAGEMENT & MENTORING
To ensure long-term success, we offer ongoing coaching and support. Our team stays connected with students and teachers for questions, idea sharing, and monthly progress updates. Each month, we also provide new resources to grow their programs, including sustainability lesson plans for science, math, and art, as well as guides on collecting, reusing, and recycling materials. We believe that engaging students in ongoing activities throughout the school year—beyond a one-time recycling workshop—makes them more likely to adopt sustainability and recycling in their daily lives.
Our workshops are designed for maximum impact and engagement. Students participate in canal cleanups by boat, interview community changemakers, make upcycled and recycled products, and much more.
What participants have to say: what was the most interesting part of the workshop for you?
“Witnessing the scale of the problem here in Thailand and removing waste from the canal.”
"การได้เห็นขนาดของปัญหาในประเทศไทย และการที่ได้เป็นส่วนหนึ่งในการกำจัดขยะออกจากคลอง"
“I really enjoyed making a difference.”
"ฉันมีความสุขมากที่ได้สร้างความเปลี่ยนแปลง"
“The informative sessions and statistics, as well as seeing [the problem] first hand in the canal, and the great work you are doing!”
"การให้ข้อมูลและสถิติต่างๆ รวมถึงการได้เห็น (ปัญหา) ในคลองด้วยตัวเอง และผลงานอันยอดเยี่ยมที่พวกคุณทำอยู"
We need your help
Investing in young people today is an investment in the future of our planet. You can be a part of this effort! Sponsor the Green School Program and help us teach children about sustainable waste management and leadership.