The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County’s 4R Ambassador Summer Program is June 3-7, 2024. Students will go behind the scenes of SWA facilities during this one-week Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink (4R) adventure. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and field trips focusing on the environment from an integrated solid waste management perspective.
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) is the governmental agency responsible for providing an economical and environmentally conscious Integrated Solid Waste Management System for Palm Beach County, Florida. The Authority also provides solid waste and recycling collection services to the residents and businesses in unincorporated Palm Beach County through private haulers under exclusive franchise agreements.
At the Authority, they call themselves AWAY because when residents put their garbage and recyclables to the curb, they go AWAY. Ultimately, they go to them. They like to say that whether you throw it, recycle it or flush it AWAY, they put your waste to work! This program will teach students how “AWAY” works in a fun and interactive way.
After all students learn about the concept of AWAY, they’ll graduate as official SWA 4R Ambassadors and be encouraged to teach their family and friends about how their waste can affect our environment.
Interested participants in the 4R Ambassador Summer Program should meet the following criteria:
- Completed grades 6, 7 or 8
- Membership in a school club (environmental, SECME, garden, etc.) and a letter from its sponsor
- Science teacher’s recommendation in the form of a letter
There’s so much to see and experience during the week-long program. Students will see areas of the Authority that most will never see during a normal facility tour and go behind the scenes at all SWA facilities, including:
- A Home Chemical & Recycling Center
- The landfill
- The Recovered Materials Processing Facility (recycling)
- Renewable Energy Facility 2 (the cleanest, greenest, most efficient waste-to-energy plant in the world)
- A transfer station
- Utilities
- The SWA Greenway Trail System
Students will also visit their community partners, which include Resource Depot, the Loxahatchee River District, and Grassy Waters Preserve.
The program is free; however, participants are encouraged to bring an old electronic device to be recycled.
To apply for the 4R Ambassador Summer Program, call 561-640-4000, ext. 4319 or education@swa.org for an application. The application deadline is Friday, May 17, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis and participants will find out if they qualify before the program begins.
Learn More: swa.org/4r.
