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ecomaine

ecomaine

Maine's Leader in Sustainable Waste Management

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        • ecomaine’s Recyclopedia

          The handiest search tool to find out how to dispose of just about anything

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Programs For Schools & Students

Education In Your Community

Each year, ecomaine educators connect with thousands of students, teachers, and curious community members of all ages through our engaging, hands-on educational programs. Our knowledgeable staff is available year-round to speak with groups interested in learning more about recycling, waste reduction, sustainability, and how materials move through our facilities.

  • Erika Schaper gives a presentation to a local school about the importance & benefits of composting, as a part of Ecomaine's offered programming

 

All educational 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 presentation 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. After you submit the form, we’ll follow up to match your group with the staff member best suited to lead an engaging and informative session. If you have any additional questions or would prefer to discuss details via email or phone, you can contact us here.

Presentations On Sustainability

Our educators offer dynamic, age-appropriate presentations that dive into today’s most pressing sustainability topics. These sessions are designed to spark curiosity, build environmental literacy, and help participants understand how individual choices contribute to a more sustainable future. Popular presentation topics include:

  • Composting 101
  • Reducing Food Waste
  • Fast Fashion
  • Ocean Plastics
  • The Secret Life of Batteries
  • “Wishcycling”
  • and so much more!

Virtual tours

  • Waste-to-Energy Facility
  • Single Sort Recycling Facility

With photos, videos, and narration from an expert guide, give your students a behind-the-scenes look at where their waste goes after it’s in the bin. Virtual tours can be adapted to any age group for an engaging, exciting science and sustainability program.
Please note: due to the nature of our industrial facilities, in-person tours cannot be conducted for persons under 18.

Hands-on Activities & Learning Games

Perfect for classrooms, camps, and community events, our hands-on activities make sustainability fun, active, and memorable. Participants work together, problem-solve, and apply real-world environmental concepts in engaging ways. Options include:

  • Recycling Basketball
  • Waste Sorting Relay Race
  • Waste Jeopardy
  • Composting With Worms

Upcycling

Our craft offerings blend creativity with environmental learning, using recycled and repurposed materials to inspire sustainable habits. These activities are great for all ages and can be tailored to seasonal themes.

  • Paper Crafts:
    • Make your own paper, paper mache bowls, paper bead making, mat weaving
  • Plastic Crafts:
    • Bottle bird feeders, pinwheels, make-your-own beeswax wraps
  • Seasonal Crafts:
    • Zero-waste gift wrap, ornaments, decorations, holiday crafts and more!

 

School Program Request

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For Residents

  • ecomaine’s Recyclopedia
  • Recycling 101
  • Food Waste & Composting
  • Multi-Family Recycling Initiative
  • Hazardous & Special Waste Disposal
  • ecomaine Communities
  • Recycling Resources to Print & Share

In Your Community

  • ecomaine News
  • ecomaine Events
  • ecomaine Communities
  • Grants & Awards from Ecomaine
    • Eco-Excellence Awards
    • Recycling is a Work of Art Painting Contest
    • Upcycle Challenge
    • Grants For Educators

About Ecomaine

  • Our Facilities
    • Waste-to-Energy Plant
    • Single-Sort Recycling Facility
    • Landfill
  • Our Team
  • Our History
  • Careers
  • Hours & Contact

64 Blueberry Road, Portland Maine 04102 · 207.773.1738 · info@ecomaine.org

© 2026 ecomaine · All Rights Reserved