About the Program

Most waste education focuses on rules.
Sort this. Rinse that. Don’t do this.

But without understanding the system behind those rules, people feel frustrated, guilty, or unsure.

This program flips that order.
It explains how the system actually works in a fun, relatable and empowering way — so choices feel informed, practical, and grounded in reality.

What is ‘The Recycling Project’

Trash Truths & Dump Myths is a curriculum initiative developed under The Recycling Project. The Recycling Project transforms waste that can’t be composted or reliably recycled into functional products and artworks—while delivering accessible recycling education for schools, municipalities, and communities. 

What began as an independent initiative has evolved into a structured, scalable education platform supporting circular economy outcomes through waste literacy, curriculum design, and community-ready delivery formats. 

About the Classes

At the heart of The Recycling Project is our signature program: Trash Truths & Dump Myths. These classes cut through the confusion of recycling and landfill systems with clear, engaging, and practical education.

Each module blends research, visuals, and discussion designed for students, teachers, and lifelong learners. From debunking common recycling myths to exploring timelines, the program makes sustainability both understandable and empowering. 

Although The Recycling Project has a strong art side to the enterprise, these classes are not focused around art.

The program is available for schools, municipalities, NGOs, and community groups. Modules can be delivered through:

• Classroom licenses (teacher-led delivery)

• Facilitator workshop kits (internal delivery)

• Live professional development workshops (delivered by The Recycling Project)

The program has been reviewed and endorsed by Rhett Rielkoff, Manager for the School of Environment and Sustainability at Royal Roads University, who praised the curriculum’s organization and educational value. 

Find an Overview of all Modules and you can watch a sample Spotlight Series — Circular Economy

Pilot partners receive access + updates, and help shape the program’s institutional rollout. 

Why This Program Exists

Why settle for “recycling education” when we can teach real systems literacy?

Trash Truths & Dump Myths goes beyond bins and buzzwords. Instead of simply telling people what to recycle, we explore how waste systems developed, why they struggle today, and where meaningful leverage actually exists.

These lessons blend history, psychology, and systems thinking to reveal the full story of human waste — from the evolution of landfills to the mechanics of greenwashing. We challenge myths that leave people feeling powerless and replace them with clarity, perspective, and practical next steps.

When people understand the system, they stop tuning out and start engaging.

Each module is fully licensable and classroom-ready, including presentation decks, discussion prompts, facilitator guidance, and curriculum alignment materials. Educators can deliver the content confidently, whether through direct facilitation or structured lesson format.

This is more than a recycling lesson. It is an invitation to rethink our relationship with waste — and to teach sustainability in a way that builds long-term understanding rather than short-term compliance.

Let’s move beyond teaching people to recycle — and start teaching them to reimagine.

Find free tools and videos at www.therecyclingproject.ca