SWAPS

About the Program

SWAPS (Sustainability with Awareness and Prevention Solutions) is a four-module learning series that provides students with a broad understanding of the litter and waste issues facing individuals, schools, and communities on the coast. Through a combination of online, in-person, and hands-on learning students will explore microplastics in the watershed, reducing food waste and composting, DIY alternatives to single-use plastic, and how to get involved or organize a waste prevention or removal program.

Who we work with

Even though we are primarily focused on High Schools the SWAPS team is flexible and ready to work with any age group from our youngest students to our older community members.

The SWAPS program also provides litter and waste prevention solutions and materials so students and the community can immediately begin preventing litter and waste.

This program is run by a team of extension professionals from the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center and is available at no cost to schools and community organizations in the six lower counties.

Module 1: Microplastic and the MS Coastal Watershed

Classroom (In-School or Virtual): Investigate microplastics and their impact on our coastal watershed. Indoor or outdoor water refill stations and refillable water bottles for participants’ schools.

Saturday Workshop (Open to the Public): Analyze local water samples and collect data on microplastics.

Module 2: Reducing Food Waste

Classroom (In-School or Virtual): The impact of food waste on communities, the climate, and possible solutions. Collect data on school food waste in the cafeteria.

Saturday Workshop (Open to the Public): Build campus compost systems to the scale wanted and learn best management practices for success.

Module 3: Eliminating Single-Use Plastics

Classroom (In-School or Virtual): Investigate the excessive use of single-use plastic and ways to be part of the solution. Mycelium growing kit for each participating classroom to create alternatives to plastic products.

Saturday Workshop (Open to the Public): Making DIY alternatives to single-use plastic including beeswax wraps and other recipes.

Module 4: Getting Involved in Litter Control Programs

Classroom (In-School or Virtual): Discusses the litter issues in our communities and how to get involved in the solutions from prevention to removal.

Saturday Workshop (Open to the Public): Campus clean-up and plastic brand audit. This sets base data for future student-led cleanups and litter abatement solutions.