The Whole Trash Thing

Our assembly is educational theatre and music, featuring Stan Slaughter as The Eco-Troubadour. He delivers the message through song, presentation, and audience participation. The program provides a comprehensive look at problems as well as environmental-friendly opportunities with our trash. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink are the key concepts. Lively songs like Habitat, The Garbage Blues, Excuse Me, Sir, That’s my Aquifer and Don’t Let the Goo Get You, really give the program spirit! Stan covers recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste (HHW). This fast-paced upbeat program lasts about 50 minutes and has a powerful educational impact. The program has played to more than 2000 schools in twenty five states, including more than half the elementary schools in Kansas.

The program covers these main points:

The world faces a resource crisis if development continues as it is today. We make a lot of trash (4.5 pounds per American every day). Trash represents valuable resources and embodied energy that should not be wasted. Trash contains valuable materials that are simply not in the right form or location for reuse. We can make a difference by purchasing recycled products and reduced packaging. Composting, Recycling and HHW Reduction are major ways to reduce pollution and make our waste stream and larger environment cleaner.

The Advance CD

Stan mails a custom CD to the school well in advance of the program. The CD contains the songs that Stan will perform in the assembly, the lyrics, hand gestures, and educational resources. The music teacher then helps the students become familiar with the songs. When the students know the songs in advance the program becomes much more exciting for the students and teachers report better behavior and attention.

Facilitates Ongoing Learning

Although this program’s goals are to educate students and reduce solid waste, these topics are a key part of broader environmental education. There are many ways teachers can utilize our program as a launching pad or reference point throughout the year. We are glad to provide additional information and references upon request.

Contact Stan Contact the webmaster