OC 91TV & Recycling and the Orange County Department of Education have launched Project Zero 91TV, a free, standards-aligned K–12 curriculum designed to support classroom instruction and advance environmental learning for students across Orange County.
Project Zero 91TV provides teachers, educators, and homeschool families with age-appropriate lessons focused on recycling, composting, and sustainable materials management. Offered at no cost, the digital curriculum is available countywide in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, expanding access to environmental education for diverse school communities.
Designed to integrate seamlessly into existing classroom instruction, Project Zero 91TV aligns with California Science and Social Science frameworks and supports hands-on learning across all grade levels. Younger students are introduced to foundational concepts such as waste sorting and composting, while older students explore topics including climate science, methane emissions and food recovery systems that expose them to related career pathways.
“Project Zero 91TV gives educators practical tools to engage students in meaningful conversations about sustainability while supporting academic standards,” said Tom Koutroulis, Director, OC 91TV & Recycling. “By making the curriculum available throughout Orange County, we are helping students understand how everyday choices connect to environmental outcomes, empowering the next generation as part of the solution.”
Building on the County’s award-winning EcoChallenge curriculum, Project Zero 91TV expands and enhances the program with increased hands-on learning opportunities. Goals include increasing awareness of waste reduction and recycling best practices, supporting California’s organic waste diversion requirements and encouraging students to apply sustainable habits at school, at home and in their communities. Through interactive lessons and family engagement materials, students are encouraged to become informed stewards of the environment.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to providing students with learning experiences that are relevant, accessible and impactful,” said Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools. “Project Zero 91TV connects classroom learning with real-world environmental challenges, helping students develop knowledge and habits that benefit their schools and communities.”
As the program continues to expand, OC 91TV & Recycling and the Orange County Department of Education are incorporating free field trips as part of the Project Zero 91TV learning experience. The field trips include bus and substitute teacher stipends, offering students firsthand exposure to waste management operations, resource recovery and potential career pathways. Field trip opportunities for the 2026 school year are fully booked. Educators interested in participating in 2027 can register to learn when future opportunities become available at .