About the Program

Recycling bales at the Fremont Recycling and Transfer Station
Fremont Transfer Station Recycling Warehouse

StopWaste's field trip program takes 4th grade classes inside working transfer stations to see the journey of waste in action. The award-winning StopWaste Education Centers offers students an opportunity to learn first-hand what happens to their recyclables, garbage, and compostables at a working material recovery facility and transfer station. This field trip provides real-life application of concepts taught in the classroom in the areas of physical science, life science, and investigation and experimentation. Trips (valued at $2,000) are free for Alameda County 4th grade classes. StopWaste provides this service to schools to support our county-wide goals to reduce the amount of compostables and recyclables entering our landfills.

This program is intended to be a two-year partnership with teachers, during which time we collaborate closely to lead climate action at school and beyond. This multi-year collaborative approach aims to drive meaningful change in reducing waste and advancing school district and county-wide climate and environmental initiatives.

Meet our Educator Team

The Experience

Students learning in the Davis St Transfer Station Education Center
Inside the Davis Street Education Center

Each two-hour field trip program includes:

  • A guided tour of a working transfer station featuring a material recovery facility and garbage pit
  • Engaging lessons exploring the 4Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot) and how individual actions reduce waste
  • Interactive hands-on activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and climate literacy initiatives
  • Pre- and post-trip lessons aligned with NGSS and climate literacy initiatives
  • Free bus pick up and drop off at school for Alameda County public school 4th grade classes (transportation time is in addition to the 2-hour field trip program time)

After the field trip, students apply what they learn to implement climate action projects on school campus with support from StopWaste educators.

Program Expectations: Two-Year Partnership

Chaperones and teachers learning about food share during the field trip program
Davis Street Education Center Chaperone Discussion

Field trips are part of a structured 2-year partnership between teachers and StopWaste. Participating educators demonstrate a commitment to advancing climate action and waste reduction initiatives on their school campus or in their community.

Participating teachers commit to:

  • Collaborative planning with StopWaste educators
  • Planning and implementing a student-led climate action project
  • Reporting back to StopWaste

What to expect each year:

Year 1: StopWaste facilitates the transfer station field trip and provides support and technical assistance to teachers to complete a climate action project and a site assessment to develop and co-create Year 2 action project at the school site.

Year 2: StopWaste facilitates the transfer station field trip and provides support to implement a climate action project that reaches the school-wide community through systematic change within the cafeteria, school or district as designed in Year 1.

Year 3 and beyond: StopWaste will recruit new teachers within the school district. StopWaste and StopWaste Advisory Group in Education (SAGE) will provide support and technical assistance for climate action projects on campus.

By receiving a field trip, teachers commit to this 2-year and beyond partnership.

Eligibility & Requirements

Fremont Education Center
Inside the Fremont Education Center

To qualify for a StopWaste Education Center field trip, your group must meet all three of the following criteria:

  • You are a teacher for a public or private school in Alameda County
  • You teach a 4th grade class or a 4th/5th grade combination class
  • You are committed to taking climate action with your class and reporting back to StopWaste

By participating in the StopWaste field trip program, teachers must commit to the following:

  • Participating in pre- and post-field trip check-ins with StopWaste staff
  • Completing pre- and post-field trip activities with their students
  • Taking climate action with their class via a climate action project (i.e. an educational or outreach project)
  • Reporting on their climate action project via surveys, questionnaires, and/or interviews
  • Be available for a school site assessment
Information for Participating Teachers

Logistics & FAQs

StopWaste Education Centers are located in San Leandro and Fremont. We host students at the transfer station that is closest to where their waste materials go.

Davis St. Transfer Station
2615 Davis St., San Leandro, CA 94577
Operated by WM, Inc.
Serves: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emery, Hayward, Livermore, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo

Fremont Recycling & Transfer Station
41149 Boyce Rd., Fremont, CA 94538
Operated by BLT Enterprises
Serves: Fremont, New Haven, Newark, and Sunol Glen

Field trips are available to 4th grade Alameda County school groups during the regular school year. Trips are generally offered at either Education Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30–11:30 am and 12:30–2:30 pm; and Wednesdays 9:30–11:30 am.

Davis Street Education Center — September through March
Fremont Education Center — January through March

A maximum of 36 students can be accommodated per field trip, with one class allowed per time slot. The maximum number of field trip participants is 38 (including students, chaperones, and teachers). If you have more than 38 participants, reach out to your StopWaste liaison to discuss options.

We require a minimum chaperone-to-student ratio of 1:10. If you are unable to fulfill this requirement, let us know as soon as possible so we can work with you to ensure your class's safety.

Royal Coach Tours is our transportation provider. If you need assistance with district field trip paperwork regarding the bus, please email us at edcenter@stopwaste.org.

Bus pick up and drop off at school is generally 30–45 minutes before and after your field trip program start and end time.

Bus transportation is provided at no cost to Alameda County public school 4th grade classes. No transportation is provided for other groups.

The bus can hold up to 38 passengers (including students, chaperones, and teachers). If additional chaperones wish to attend, they may drive themselves, but always check with your StopWaste staff liaison.

If you need to cancel your field trip, please notify us at least 2 weeks before your scheduled date. This gives us an opportunity to fill the slot and allows others to prepare for their visit. If you need to reschedule, we can assist you, but with the limited number of available field trip slots, rescheduling may not always be possible.

How to Apply

Since teachers are our primary partners in this program and because we require pre- and post-field trip coordination, the assigned 4th grade teacher must submit their own application for their individual class.

  • Teachers may not apply on behalf of anyone else.
  • A teacher may not submit applications for multiple classes, although collaboration among grade level teams is encouraged.
  • Applications submitted by others on behalf of the assigned 4th grade teacher will not be accepted.

Steps to Apply

Step 1: Get to know the program

Familiarize yourself with the field trip program requirements, logistics, and program goals.

Step 2 (Optional): Reach out with questions

We're happy to help and connect with you before you submit an application. You can email edcenter@stopwaste.org or book a live Q&A session with StopWaste staff.

Step 3: Submit your application

Complete and submit your application online. Please take time to answer all questions thoughtfully, thoroughly, and to the best of your knowledge. StopWaste staff reviews all applications. You can download a PDF copy of the application questions for your reference before applying. A few questions may require you to check with your custodian or kitchen staff regarding waste reduction and prevention practices in the cafeteria.

Step 4: Schedule your field trip

If approved via email confirmation from StopWaste staff, you will receive a link to choose your field trip date and connect with your assigned StopWaste educator liaison. If you are not selected for a field trip, we will do our best to explore other opportunities to support your class and school waste reduction initiatives.

Application Timeline

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are currently closed. Sign up for our schools eNews to stay up-to-date on field trip opportunities.

Submit an Application