Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
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Thurston County Washington

Public Works

Schools & Youth

photo of students recycling

 

Classroom Presentations

Free presentations are available upon request for 3rd-8th grade classrooms. The interactive presentations focus either on recycling right or wasting less food and are approximately 60 minutes. Loaner kits containing materials and lesson plans can be checked out by teachers for free. Each kit includes materials for a group of 30 students. 

​Reduce Reuse Recycle (RRR) Patch

The RRR Patch Program is available for Thurston County youth in 2nd grade and older.

Participants learn the meaning and potential actions behind reducing, reusing, and recycling. The program prepares them to take action to take better care of their environment and neighborhood.

Get started with the RRR Patch manual to learn how to earn your RRR patch.

Trash Talk! Newsletter for Students

Schools in Thurston County can request copies of the Trash Talk for each fourth and fifth grade student.

Publications are released twice each school year and feature information on: 

  • recycling
  • reusing
  • household hazardous waste
  • food and yard waste
  • waste reduction 
  • and more!

Trash Talk! is informative while offering activities like word searches, crossword puzzles, and other games to make learning more fun!

Fall 2023 Trash Talk! student newsletter

Fall 2023 Trash Talk! teacher guide

 

Email us to sign your classroom up to receive the newsletter.
Previous issues are also available in our Publications & Print Resources.

Newsletter Name Contest

Calling all fans of our Trash Talk newsletter! If you’re a 4th or 5th grade student in Thurston County, we want to hear from you. Help us rename our newsletter by submitting your suggestion with the form below.  The winner and one runner-up will each receive one of the following prize packages:

Prize Package 1

  • Kitchen compost carrier
  • Home composting guidebook
  • Reusable shopping bag
  • Zippered pouch made from recycled bike tubes

Prize Package 2

  • Shoulder bag made from recycled materials
  • Stainless steel reusable water bottle
  • Stainless steel reusable straw kit
  • Magnetic chip clip
  • Gift coupon booklet and reusable bag reminders

Submissions must be entered by a parent or guardian and received by Tuesday, November 14 at 5 p.m. Winners will be notified on Wednesday, November 15 and announced during our America Recycles Day event.