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Earth Day Events at OC Public Libraries

Earth Day and OC Public Libraries

GET THE SCOOP ON VERMICOMPOSTING WITH OC WASTE & RECYCLING, OC PUBLIC LIBRARIES and DISCOVERY CUBE OC 

Orange County, CA (April 5, 2023) – In celebration of Earth Month, OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), OC Public Libraries (OCPL) and Discovery Cube OC (DCOC) will partner for County-wide Earth Day events to educate residents on the fun and wiggly side of caring for the environment.  Festivities will span the month of April featuring eco-focused events at select libraries including an interactive vermicomposting presentation, along with weekend celebrations at Discovery Cube. 

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, creates a space for environmental outreach and education. OCWR teamed up with OCPL and DCOC to offer residents activities all month long to create awareness for recycling and composting best practices. In-person festivities include community events at libraries throughout Orange County on April 11 and 18, and three days of fun at Discovery Cube OC on April 21-23 (event details below). All library branches will offer OCWR Earth Day Kits in April while supplies last.  

“Engaging the community with eco-friendly activities helps inspire young stewards of the environment. We’re proud to partner with OC Public Libraries and Discovery Cube OC to celebrate with Earth Month festivities,” said Tom Koutroulis, director, OC Waste & Recycling. “Educating the County’s youngest residents about best recycling practices ensures these important practices will endure.” 

Earth Month @ OC Public Libraries  

The community is invited to attend free in-person events at OC Public Libraries listed below:  

  • San Clemente Branch, April 11, 5-6:30 p.m.; 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente 

  • Cypress Branch, April 18, 5-6:30 p.m.; 5331 Orange Ave, Cypress 

Evenings will include green-themed storytime by OCPL librarians followed by interactive (and wiggly!) vermicomposting presentations from Discovery Cube OC educators. The wiggly worm presentation will feature up-close looks at live worms and share the scoop on how they support composting. Library events will close with an “Ants on a Log” tasty treat provided by OCPL and attendees will leave with OCWR Earth Day Kits that include EcoChallenge Activity Books, rulers and free child admission coupons to DCOC.   

OC Public Libraries will also be offering several virtual and additional in-person activities, including Earth Day-themed storytimes in multiple languages, programs and a video version of the vermicomposting presentation available on ocpl.org/earthday.  

Earth Month @ Discovery Cube OC 

  • Explore the Organic Waste Compost Lab to learn about the magic of composting and get an up-close look at over 5,000 red wiggler worms  

  • Interact with the new Water Table exhibit and learn how water is the key element that helps transport substances within compost piles and makes the nutrients in organic material accessible to microbes.  

  • Visit the Cube Earth Day Weekend April 21-23 featuring extra activities, daily programming, exhibits and giveaways 

  • For details, visit discoverycube.org  

Orange County residents can make everyday Earth Day by recycling and properly disposing of waste. Composting is a key component to recycling and with new SB 1383 legislation to reduce methane emissions, people are now required to sort all food waste before disposing in the waste bin.  OCWR’s OCRecycleGuide.com is a resource for people looking to recycle odd items and directs the public to various recycling options. In addition to recycling, it is also important to make sure hazardous items like batteries, paints and household cleaners do not make it into our landfills. Orange County is home to four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers located in Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano.  

About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) 

OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs by providing waste management services, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems, serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more by visiting the OCWR website at OCLandfills.com

About OC Public Libraires (OCPL) 

OC Public Libraries is a network of community libraries in your neighborhood or as near as your computer. With 32 branches, an outlet in the Orangewood Children's Home, and the OCPL Mobile Library, OCPL provides a variety of services to residents throughout the County of Orange. OCPL aims to empower and enrich its communities, provide freedom of access to information, engender the love of reading and learning, and to make a difference in the lives of the people it services.  In 2021, OCPL recognized a major milestone of providing 100 years of service to the Orange County community. Visit ocpl.org for programs, services, and more. 

About Discovery Cube Orange County (DCOC) 

Discovery Cube, the leading children’s science museum in Southern California, is committed to inspiring, educating and impacting children of all ages through engaging, hands-on science-based programs, exhibits and interactive adventures. Discovery Cube was named one of the 10 "Most Trusted Brands" in Orange County and received the award for the National Medal of Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In 2020, Discovery Cube unveiled a digital-first approach to online learning and science education with the launch of Discovery Cube Connect, a digital platform to Discovery Cube’s onsite STEM exhibits as well as interactive and online educational offerings. For more information, visit discoverycube.org and discoverycubeconnect.org  

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