New Partnership Combines Soccer and Environmental Education Across Orange County
SANTA ANA, CA (September 30, 2026) — OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is teaming up with Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) and the OCSC Foundation for a new partnership to bring Project Zero Waste education to Orange County youth and families through soccer clinics and community events.
During the first year of the partnership, OCWR and the OCSC Foundation will host five youth soccer clinics designed to encourage participation in Project Zero Waste, OCWR’s free waste-diversion education program developed in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education.
“Partnering with Orange County Soccer Club gives us a new opportunity to encourage using Project Zero Waste in classrooms,” said Tom Koutroulis, Director, OC Waste & Recycling. “By bringing environmental education into the community, we can help students understand the role they play in reducing waste and encourage habits they can practice at home, at school and in their communities.”
Students participating in the clinics will receive soccer gear, including a backpack, jersey, socks, hat and other items, as well as a special visit from Gnarly, the OCSC mascot.
Beyond the clinics, OCWR will participate in select OCSC family events, including Hispanic Heritage Night, creating additional opportunities to connect with families and share Project Zero Waste and OCWR resources.
“We are excited to welcome OC Waste & Recycling as a new community partner and highlight Project Zero Waste education through soccer,” said Lisa Keston, Executive Director of the OCSC Foundation. “Our Foundation is committed to using soccer to support and empower youth, and this partnership gives us another meaningful way to connect with families and make a positive impact in our community.”
Project Zero Waste is a free, standards-aligned K–12 curriculum developed by OCWR and the Orange County Department of Education. Available countywide in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, the program provides age-appropriate lessons focused on recycling, composting and sustainable materials management. The curriculum supports hands-on learning and encourages students to apply sustainable habits at school, at home and in their communities.
The collaboration with OCSC expands Project Zero Waste beyond the classroom, creating new opportunities to reach students and families through community-based activities.
Project Zero Waste curriculum materials are available digitally, allowing educators to participate at their own pace throughout the school year. For more information about Project Zero Waste and to access free family engagement activities, visit OClandfills.com/ProjectZeroWaste.
About Orange County Soccer Club
Orange County Soccer Club (OCSC) is Orange County’s only professional soccer team and a founding member of the United Soccer League (USL). It was purchased by club owner and Chief Investment Officer of LARO Properties, James Keston, in 2017. OCSC, which plays its home games at the 6,500-seat Orange County Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, CA, won its first USL Championship title in 2021. OCSC is dedicated to being the leader in professional player development in the United States, providing a pathway to professional soccer and the top leagues around the world.
About the Orange County Soccer Club Foundation
The OCSC Foundation is the charitable arm of Orange County Soccer Club and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2020 to serve the greater Orange County community. Its mission is to use soccer as a vehicle to promote health and wellness, support and empower our youth, foster an inclusive environment, and unify our local community.
About the Orange County Department of Education
The Orange County Department of Education serves some of Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and nearly 420,000 students.
In addition to providing direct instruction through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers programs and services critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, including professional development, legal guidance, payroll services, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, family resources and student enrichment.
About OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR)
OCWR serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling 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 and three composting greenery sites, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills and compost greeneries reflect environmental engineering at its best. Learn more at www.OClandfills.com.
# # #
Links in this section relate to Body