Classes on Sustainability Topics

We offer a handful of classes on various sustainability topics. Below are the class names and descriptions that are available. If you'd like to request Schenectady County Recycles teaches a class to your school, business, or organization, please email schenectadyrecycles@cornell.edu

Adult Classes

Adult classes are 60 minutes in length including time for Q&A and are lecture style with take-home brochures for all attendees. 

• Backyard Composting
  • Do you have some outdoor space with room to compost but just aren't sure how to start? This is the class for you! We'll talk about the basics of compost science and how exactly to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment!
• Recycling: History to how-to
  • Have you ever wondered when recycling started? This practice dates back to ancient times! We'll venture through the centuries and modern decades to learn about the history of recycling and how we can do our part in our every day lives. It's a history lesson- and a how-to!
• Vermicomposting
  • Worms are some of the most crucial workers when it comes to composting. Did you know you can compost in just a storage bin inside your home, classroom, or business with these little guys? This class will cover the amazing world of worms, how they work, and what their diet looks like in a vermicomposting bin.
• Zero Waste: A movement of "deconsumption"
  • The zero waste movement isn't just about fitting your year's worth of trash into a mason jar- it's about making conscious choices when purchasing and- more importantly- when practicing the three Rs. Conscious consumption and the newly popular deconsumption are terms we'll explore in this class, starting with the beginning of the modern zero waste movement and ending with how you can make a difference in your life.
• Bokashi Composting
  • Looking to break down your scraps faster? Look no further than bokashi composting- a method of fermentation! Break down scraps in a matter of weeks in your compost after fermenting them first. We'll walk through the ins and outs of fermentation composting.

Youth Classes 

*Grade ranges listed are suggested, not required*

• Vermicomposting for Kids (Grades K-5)
  • This is an interactive, kid-friendly class on worm composting! Attendees will get to meet the worms, hear about why composting is important, and spend time coloring the worm diet with the worms right in front of them!
• Recycled Seed Paper Making (Grades 3-12)
  • Learn about the importance of protecting our environment- especially our trees- while taking paper destined for the landfill and turning it into your own creation! Attendees will learn how paper is made and then get the chance to make their own, including the opportunity to turn their creations into plantable seed paper.
• Recycled Paper Seed Ball Making (Grades K-8)
  • Let's take shredded paper destined for the landfill and turn it into a useable paper pulp to house seeds for seed balls! Attendees will learn about the importance of native wildflowers and then create their own seed balls to take with them to plant wherever they see fit.
• Sustainable, Natural Play Dough Making (Grades K-5)
  • Let's make our own play dough! Attendees will each make their own play dough in a reusable container with natural ingredients found around the house. When they're done playing with their play dough in a few weeks, it can be composted and will break down easily.
• Recycling Superheroes (Grades 6-12)
  • Students will learn about the importance of recycling and then flex their creative skills to brainstorm and develop a Recycling Superhero of their own creation. Students will develop a short comic strip to play out their superheroes power!
• Greenwashing (Grades 9-12+)
  • Have you ever wondered if a "green" company is telling the truth? We're going to help you spot some key giveaways to discern what the truth is! We'll explore past, bogus advertisements and then venture into the conflict surrounding words like, "recyclable" and "post-consumer content". We'll think critically about claims while testing our lie-detecting abilities.

If there is another topic in sustainability that you're interested in, please let us know. Schenectady County Recycles can typically accommodate most sustainability-related topics!

Last updated May 1, 2025