Young children learn best through stories, play, and connection with older peers. StopWaste's K-3rd grade resources use engaging characters, hands-on activities, and buddy programs to make environmental concepts accessible and fun.

The cover of the Compost Adventures of Wiggle E Worm comic book

Comic Book & Read-Aloud

The Compost Adventures of Wiggle E. Worm

Wiggle E Worm introduces composting to young learners through an illustrated story about a friendly red wiggler worm. Available as a downloadable comic book with an accompanying read-aloud video.
A group of waste-reduction action heroes and their sidekicks

Action Hero Identity

Meet the League of 4Rs Action Heroes

Four superhero characters bring the 4Rs to life—Super Reducer, Professor Reuse, The Recycler, and RotGirl. Each hero has unique powers, backstories, and sidekicks that help students remember and practice waste reduction. Short animated videos and downloadable activity sheets are available for classroom use.
Meet the Heroes
Students reading to a younger buddy student.

Buddy Activity

K-3 Garbologist Journal: A Reading Buddy Activity

This Reading Buddy Activity for K-3rd grades and is designed for older students, 4th grade and up or adults, to buddy read to younger students. Ideally the Reading Buddy, which is called “Earth Buddy” in this journal, would have first experienced the StopWaste transfer station field trip program. The Earth Buddy helps their younger “Garbologist Buddy” explore what the earth gifts us and how they can take action by practicing the 4Rs.
Download the Journal

Additional Resources

KidScoop Earth Tips

KidScoop News in partnership with the Altamont Education Advisory Board, created these earth tip activity pages that showcase and spotlight many of StopWaste’s student and teacher action heroes.