Ready for a lesson in “stuff”? Whether you’re 18 or 80, join us this summer to become an Eco Scout and learn how to build skills, improve public health, and become part of a growing movement committed to sustainable community development.
Learn about repair and reuse, recycling, composting and food waste, litter clean-ups and how to connect with your community!
REGISTER NOW
WHAT ARE THE ECO SCOUTS?
Allegheny CleanWays and PRC are launching the Eco Scouts program to empower Allegheny County residents with the skills needed to tackle waste management.
Starting in May 2025, Eco Scouts will immerse themselves in the world of stuff: why we have so much of it, how it gets made and remade, where it goes after we’re done with it, and how it impacts our environment and communities. This program is for inquisitive and enthusiastic adults and teenagers who want to support each other and make deeper connections in their own communities. Each of the five workshops will focus on a different topic and will offer the skills and tools needed to make change in your own community. Scouts will learn about repair and reuse, recycling, composting and food waste, litter clean-ups, watersheds, and how to connect with their community. The Eco Scout program is made possible by the Hillman Foundation.
CORE MISSION
Eco Scouts empowers community members to:
- Identify and address local environmental issues
- Learn practical waste management and environmental stewardship skills
- Take direct action through cleanup events and community projects
- Connect with local organizations in our community
ORIGINS & MISSION
Born from decades of environmental work, the program addresses critical community needs:
- Environmental inequity in underserved neighborhoods
- The importance of community-driven environmental engagement
- The power of education in creating meaningful change
- The effectiveness of locally generated solutions
THE WASTE HIERARCHY: A KEY LEARNING FRAMEWORK
Central to the Eco Scouts’ education is understanding the waste hierarchy—a framework prioritizing waste management strategies from most to least environmentally beneficial. This approach helps participants comprehend how individual choices impact local environments and health.
BENEFITS OF JOINING ECO SCOUTS
Environmental Impact
- Contribute to cleaner, safer neighborhoods
- Learn practical environmental skills
- Gain hands-on environmental understanding by working with local community groups
Public Health Benefits
- Improve mental health through cleaner environments
- Enhance air and water quality
- Create healthier community spaces
Personal Development
- Build confidence through community action
- Connect with like-minded individuals
- Develop leadership skills
Community Connection
Check out some of the amazing community partners involved in the process!
- Pittsburgh Repair Café (shown at left) Come to Construction Junction the first Saturday of every month and learn how to fix things!
- Oasis Farm in Homewood, an urban garden in a food desert supporting the community
- Reimagine Recycling-Finding other uses for our less recycled plastics!
- Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse-Treasure shop of reuse.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
Whether you’re 18 or 80, Eco Scouts offers an opportunity to build skills, improve public health, and become part of a growing movement committed to sustainable community development. REGISTER NOW
Recommended References
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Tools and Resources for Sustainable Communities https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/tools-and-resources-sustainable-communities
- Sele, John Philip and Mark B Mukundi. 2024 Community-Based Approaches to Environmental Conservation: Empowering Local Initiatives. Greener Journal of Social Sciences. https://gjournals.org/GJSC/Publication/2024/2/PDF/122024211%20Sele%20and%20Mukundu.pdf
- Ardoin, Nicole et. Al. 2022. Positive youth development outcomes and environmental education; a review of research. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02673843.2022.2147442#abstract
Ready to make a difference? Connect with Allegheny CleanWays or the Pennsylvania Resources Council to become an Eco Scout and transform your community from the ground up. For more information, visit https://www.alleghenycleanways.org/ecoscouts.html