To increase awareness regarding the importance of recycling,
The Recycling Dictionary hosts many events for people of all ages to get involved.
Offer the public a glimpse into the world of trash and the very reason why we need to improve our recycling efforts.
Help people understand why they need to recycle items properly, which is mainly to protect the recycling machines from damage.
Every year The Recycling Dictionary organizes special Earth Day events to promote awareness about the importance of recycling.
The Recycling Dictionary earned a $5,000 grant from the Dragon Kim Foundation Fellowship, a hands-on leadership training and mentoring program designed to help project ideas.
Prima Deshecha Landfill Tour
We visited the Prima Deshecha Landfill in San Juan Capistrano to learn about how methane is generated into energy, what prevents leachate from seeping underground, how wastewater is regenerated, and broadly how such a landfill is managed on a large scale.
The landfill spans 1,530 acres with over 697 acres dedicated for waste disposal. The facility manages compost and receives over 4,000 tons of waste every day. We were guided by two officials running the landfill and additionally, we donated copies of our book The Recycling Dictionary to the facility.
The landfill spans 1,530 acres with over 697 acres dedicated for waste disposal. The facility manages compost and receives over 4,000 tons of waste every day. We were guided by two officials running the landfill and additionally, we donated copies of our book The Recycling Dictionary to the facility.
Entrance of Landfill
The Prima Deshecha Landfill opened in 1976. It is owned and operated by Orange County. Its permitted closure date is 2102. 
Gas Pipe
Composting waste in landfills naturally produces methane gas. The gas is collected through pipes and then sent to a facility for conversion into renewable energy. 
Mattress recycling
You can bring your old mattress to the recycling center, or you can call a waste disposal service that will pick up and haul your mattress for you. |
Creating Cell
Everyday trash is placed, compacted, and covered with a layer of soil or tarps in sections until a specified size is reached, thus forming a cell. 
Mountain of Trash
Maybe there is a trash in this landfill that you threw out! The trash stays here for hundreds of years to go through the process of decomposition and production of methane gas. 
Bird control Program
Training falcons are employed at the landfill to deter seagulls, which often gather in large numbers. This helps maintain the cleanliness of the landfill and ensure the safety of the seagulls. |
Composting Pile
Through composting, green waste becomes a soil amendment. This process takes anywhere from three to six months. 
Water-Sprinkled Truck
The landfill was much cleaner than we had anticipated, thanks to the constant circulation of a cleaning truck that sprays water to prevent dust from flying up. 
Book donation
Jiin and Mary donated the children's book The Recycling Dictionary to the Prima Deshecha Landfill. They received a flyer with useful informations about the landfill. |
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Do you want to send your students to the landfill tour?
We would love to arrange it! |
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Earth Day Event
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EARTH DAY 2022 |
On April 23rd, 2022, The Recycling Dictionary hosted an E-Waste Drive in honor of Earth Day.
We installed battery drive boxes throughout the school over a period of three weeks to collect used batteries,
and on Earth Day, we collected other large e-waste items.
We installed battery drive boxes throughout the school over a period of three weeks to collect used batteries,
and on Earth Day, we collected other large e-waste items.
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"OCSA students rocked
their Earth Day celebration today!" "In front of an enthusiastic crowd of their peers, Popular Music seniors covered songs by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard pertaining to the Earth Day celebration. Leadership also provided fun games and important information to raise awareness about environmental issues." |
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EARTH DAY 2023 |
On April 21, 2023, The Recycling Dictionary hosted an informational activity booth on recycling in honor of Earth Day.
Members gathered on 10th street to put together a trivia and spin wheel filled with recycling questions.
OCSA students and staff were able to take their chance in answering a question in exchange for a prize. The event was both rewarding and beneficial to increase awareness and engagement amongst the student body.
Members gathered on 10th street to put together a trivia and spin wheel filled with recycling questions.
OCSA students and staff were able to take their chance in answering a question in exchange for a prize. The event was both rewarding and beneficial to increase awareness and engagement amongst the student body.
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Do you want to hold Earth Day event at your school?
We would love to arrange it! |
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The Recycling Dictionary project was selected for a 6-month mentoring program that assists in launching service project ideas from start to finish. Through various leadership training sessions, professional mentorship, and a $5,000 grant, The Dragon Kim Foundation greatly supported the growth of The Recycling Dictionary.
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Training Session 1 (March 4-5, 2023) |
We learned about the foundations of what it takes to build a success project. Starting from personal leadership to then guiding others. Qualities such as responsibility, integrity, authenticity, and awareness will be carried with us well into the future. We also had the chance to pitch our project and receive feedback that was used to further concise the project purpose.
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We learned about marketing strategies from a seasoned professional and completed an activity called “MBA in a box”. It helped us refine our project and carve out a clearer path for where we want our project to go in the future. We watched a video on how to accept rejection and even look at it from a different point of view. On day two, we completed the OC rope course that utilized our new skills in teamwork and personal leadership.
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Training Session 3 (June 3-4, 2023) |
Training Session 3 was our last in-person leadership training with the Dragon Kim Foundation. We both had a wonderful time connecting with our Dragon family for the 54 hours of training we received. In Training Session 3, we reflected on how emotions and how to approach them. We also learned about financial strategies through a guest speaker from SchoolsFirst FCU and continued planning our project as we approach graduation.
Cool Irvine 2023
Sustainability Fair
The 2023 Cool Irvine Sustainability Fair took place on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Heritage Community Park. This event offered a wide range of information and activities for attendees to enjoy. Participants could learn about important topics such as energy efficiency, disaster preparedness, plant-based diets, rebates and tax credits at both the state and federal levels, water conservation, and solar and battery storage. Additionally, there were engaging kids' activities, tempting food trucks, and various retail vendors to enhance the fair experience. Visitors had a day filled with education, entertainment, and delicious treats at this exciting event
Many families enjoying their weekend outings participated in the event. Notably, Tami Kim, the Vice Mayor of Irvine, made an appearance and delivered a speech, appealing to each individual to strive towards environmental conservation through their personal efforts.
Numerous companies, such as Waste Management, Irvine Ranch Water District, SoCalGas, participated, sharing ways to protect the environment.
A wide variety of programs have been prepared for kids, enabling them to have an enjoyable experience while acquiring knowledge about sustainability.
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OFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP
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OFFICIAL SPONSORSHIP
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