A class tour, led by a City of Vancouver operations team member, to learn where most of the region’s garbage goes and be inspired to generate strategies for waste reduction.
Facility tour details
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Grade level: Grades 5 to 12
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Location: Vancouver Landfill, 5400 72nd Street, Delta
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Availability: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am, October to November and February to June. The request form is updated twice a year, in August and December.
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Duration: 90 minutes
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Number of participants: One school bus maximum per request
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Cost: The facility tour is free; bus coordination and rental costs are the responsibility of the teacher
Request a landfill tour
Facility tour description
This engaging tour demonstrates how technology, innovation, and a skilled team from the City of Vancouver combine to operate the Vancouver Landfill and Recycling Depot – where 70% of Metro Vancouver’s waste is received annually. Students will learn about what is recycled through partnerships with local businesses at the Zero Waste Centre, and view the composting facility and the ‘active face’ of the landfill. Students will be introduced to environmental protection programs in place including leachate control, bird control, and how landfill gas is captured and upgraded to renewable natural gas quality. Students will leave familiar with unique careers in sustainability and inspired to rethink and reduce waste at home and at school.
Planning for your facility tour
Classes must arrive by bus (coordination and payment are the responsibility of the teacher) and are joined by a City of Vancouver tour leader for a driving tour of the site.
All pre- and post-tour activities, including lunch, must be undertaken offsite. Consider planning an additional stop at Deas Island Regional Park!
Programs take place in all weather conditions, unless deemed unsafe by the City of Vancouver Landfill operations. While all effort will be made to give notice of changes before the day of programming, last minute changes can sometimes occur. Cancellations will be rescheduled as time allows.
Curriculum connections
This facility tour meets grade-specific curriculum. Contact us to discuss options for facilitating solid waste education for other grade levels.
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