Education In Your Community
In addition to our programs for schools and educators, ecomaine conducts outreach and education for community-based organizations and groups of all ages and backgrounds. From municipal stakeholders and professional working groups to libraries, senior centers, and business teams, our dedicated education staff are available year-round to bring sustainability learning directly to your community.
Our community programming is designed to increase access to knowledge on waste reduction, recycling, and how materials move through our facilities after they leave your community. All programs are offered free of charge to ecomaine’s member communities, and we encourage you to reach out early for the best availability.
Once you’ve selected a program or topic, please use the request form at the bottom of this page to share your desired dates, group details, and any specific areas of interest. We’ll follow up to match your group with the staff member best suited to lead an engaging and informative session. You can also contact us here.
Professional Presentations
Our knowledgeable education staff are available to present on a wide range of sustainability topics, either at your location or at our facility in Portland. Presentations can be tailored to groups of all interests, ages, and backgrounds. Example topics include:
- The Importance of Reducing Plastic Use
- The Dos and Don’ts of Single-Sort Recycling
- Wishcycling 101
- Backyard Composting
- Packaging EPR and What’s Ahead for ecomaine Communities
- Reducing Food Waste at Home and in Your Business
- And more! We’re happy to work with your group on a topic that fits your needs.
Education at Community Events
Our education staff are available year-round to bring sustainability education to your event through informational tabling. From farmer’s markets, repair fairs, and festivals to community days, library events, and neighborhood gatherings, we love meeting community members where they are.
ecomaine also offers rentals of ClearStream® trash and recycling containers to help events divert waste at the source. For more information on tabling or container rentals, email info@ecomaine.org.
Hands-On Activities and Learning Games
See sustainability in action. At ecomaine, we offer both in-person and virtual tours of our recycling and waste-to-energy facilities in Portland. These behind-the-scenes educational experiences are immersive and provide first-hand knowledge of where materials go after they leave ecomaine communities.
In-Person Tours
Available to groups of adults (18 and older). Please note: due to the nature of our industrial facilities, in-person tours cannot be conducted for persons under 18.
Virtual Tours
Can’t make it to Portland? Our virtual tours bring our facilities to life through photos, video, and expert narration, accessible to any group, anywhere.
To request a tour or for additional information, email info@ecomaine.org.
Experiential Workshops and Programs
Great for libraries, senior centers, clubs, and community organizations of all kinds, ecomaine’s hands-on workshops and project-based programs are designed to inspire sustainable habits through creativity and direct experience. Our staff are available to visit your group and lead these engaging sessions. Example offerings include:
Upcycled Arts and Crafts
Using recycled and repurposed materials, our upcycling workshops blend hands-on making with environmental learning. Sessions can be tailored to seasonal themes or your group’s interests.
- Paper Crafts:
- Paper maché bowls
- Bead making
- Mat weaving
- Plastic Crafts:
- Bottle bird feeders
- Pinwheels
- Sculptures
- Fabric Crafts:
- Make-your-own beeswax wraps
- No-sew reusable bags
- Seasonal Crafts:
- Zero-waste gift wrap, ornaments, and decorations
- Halloween costumes and decorations
- And more!
Looking for programs for K–12 students and classrooms? Visit our Programs for Schools & Students page.
