4 d Eco Challenge Program Update
Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services.
www.cmsdca.gov
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
….an Independent Special District
Memorandum
T o: Board of Directors
Via : Scott Carroll , General Manager
From: Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst
Date: August 20 , 2013
Subject: Eco Challenge Program Update
Summary
O n August 1, 2012, t he Costa Mesa S anitary District (CMSD) entered into an
Agreement with the Discovery Science Center (DSC) for the delivery of an interactive
educational program entitled, “Eco Challenge,” to approxi mately four hundred and
eighty (480) 6 th grade students from Costa Mesa. Staff is providing the Board of
Directors with the results of the Eco Challenge Program.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors receive and file the report.
Analysis
Th e DSC partnered with the Orange County Waste & Recycling Department on the
development and delivery of a comprehensive , interactive education program that
focused on the message of “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle .” The purpose of the program
is to teach children the importance of identifying and properly disposing of Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) and how to become an eco -friendly shopper . The DSC has
taught 20,012 Orange County children since the programs inception in September
2011 .
The “Eco Challenge” E duca tion P rogram included the following :
1. Interactive in -class instruction using curriculum d eveloped for the Eco
Challenge Education P rogram , and featuring an Interactive Student Keypad
Response S ystem
Board of Directors
August 20 , 201 3
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2. A student booklet summarizing key concepts to acco mpany the in -class
w orkshop
3. Incentive for visiting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
4. Take -home items and home survey for each student
5. Classroom resources used to accompany the in -class w orkshop
6. A field trip to the DSC for the students receiving the in -class w orkshop including
a bus stipend
7. Booking of in -class w orkshops and accompanying field trips
8. Provi ding teachers for the in -class w orkshops and assigning staff to lead field
trips while at the DSC
9. Procuring, storing , and managing delivery of classroom supplies , equipment,
take -home items , and educational b ooklets needed to complete the w orkshop
10. Collecting, analyzing , and reporting on home surveys
A total of 389 Costa Mesa students participated in the program. The following schools
particip ated:
1. Adams Elementary School: 70 students
2. College Park Elementary School: 90 students
3. Paularino Elementary School: 62 students
4. Saint John the Baptist School: 63 students
5. Whitt ier Elementary School: 104 students
At the end of the program , teachers were given program evaluations . T he results were
excellent (Attachement 1). The DCS considers our program a success. As a result, t he
District will continue to support the Eco Challenge P rogram for FY 2013 -14 and FY
2014 -15.
Strategic Plan Ele ment & Goal
This item complies the with objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid
Waste, which states:
“Objective: Our objective is to manage the collection and recycling of residential trash
in the most economical and environmentally friendl y way.”
“Strategy : We will do this by looking for ways to improve efficiencies, achieve high
customer satisfaction, and considering prudent new recycling methods.”
Legal Review
Not applicable at this time .
Financial Review
The District has budgeted $1 2,000 for Fiscal Year 2013 -2014 for this program and
believes that adequate funds are available.
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August 20 , 201 3
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Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the complete agenda packet
for the August 20 , 2013 Board of Directors Study Session at District Headquarters and
posted on the District’s website .
Attachments
1. Program Evaluations
Attachment 1
Attachment 1