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Commonly Asked Tour Questions

For Teachers

How do I sign up our school or class for a field trip? 

Simply call the office of Keep Blount Beautiful at 681-4809 or email keepblo@earthlink.net.

How many students can I bring at once? 

We limit our field trips to 60 students or one school bus. Your school may reserve multiple days if needed.

Who decides the schedule? 

Teachers can have as much input into this decision as they want. Some prefer for Keep Blount Beautiful staff to create the entire schedule while others like to request particular activities.

What if we can't come for a whole day? 

Keep Blount Beautiful can do just the tour with your group or we can create a half day trip. As long as there is room in our schedule, we are very flexible.

Does the field trip cost anything?

No, the program is paid for through a grant from the Blount County Solid Waste Authority. All schools have to pay for is transportation to the landfill.

What do I need to do to prepare my students for the field trip? 

Preparation for this field trip can take many forms. If you plan to have a Waste Free Lunch, the students need to be educated about what this means. Our staff and volunteers try to gauge the sophistication of the group and facilitate the day for that level. There are educational resources available for pre and post field trip activities in the classroom. If you are interested in making waste education a part of your curriculum, please visit: Tennessee Solid Waste Education Project. You may also have your students visit the Keep America Beautiful interactive website: Clean Sweep USA.

What do we need to wear? 

Please dress comfortably in layers. It is often cooler at the landfill because it is up on a hill and there seems to be a constant breeze. Wear comfortable sneakers or boots that you aren't afraid to get muddy. Always bring a light jacket in the Spring and Fall. It is a good idea to have sunscreen and bug repellant if needed. Basically, plan for a day outdoors. If any students are allergic to bees, please bring epi-pen or appropriate medications.

What type of facilities are at the Learning Center? 

There are no restrooms or water available during the landfill tour.  Restrooms will be available at the lunch/activity pavilion.  Running water for drinking is not available, make sure students bring enough to drink, especially for hot days.  Plan for all students to visit the restroom at the school before getting on the bus, please emphasize there are no restrooms at the landfill. 

Does the landfill stink? 

Surprisingly no. The only odiferous area is the active household waste cell and we only spend a few minutes there. We do an activity all over the landfill with the kids called the "sniff test" to test whether it stinks. Most of what you smell is fresh country air.

Is visiting the landfill safe? 

Yes! Many parents ask this question and even some teachers. There is no toxic goop at the landfill that will harm students or adults. People work at the landfill everyday. No hazardous materials are accepted at our landfill and even if they accidentally got in, there are multiple safe guards against them leaching into our environment. If you are concerned about safety, then we strongly encourage you to come on the field trip with us and see for yourself. Our landfill is something every resident should be proud of. It is a beautiful place that looks more like a park than a dump.

For Parents

What do I need to do to prepare my child for the field trip?

Preparation for this field trip can take many forms. If the school plans to have a Waste Free Lunch, then your child needs to pack their lunch accordingly. We want students to begin to take responsibility for their own waste stream. No-waste lunches are a great way for you to talk to your children about waste reduction. They are also a great way to save money and avoid buying Lunchables. Please visit the Waste Free Lunch hyperlink and it will give you much more information.

What does my child need to wear? 

Dress comfortably in layers. It is often cooler at the landfill because it is up on a hill and there seems to be a constant breeze. Wear comfortable sneakers or boots that you aren't afraid to get muddy. Always bring a light jacket in the Spring and Fall. It is a good idea to have sunscreen and bug repellant if needed. Basically, plan for a day outdoors.

Is visiting the landfill safe? 

Yes! Many parents ask this question and even some teachers. There is no toxic goop at the landfill that will harm students or adults. People work at the landfill everyday. No hazardous materials are accepted at our landfill and even if they accidentally got in, there are multiple safe guards against them leaching into our environment. If you are concerned about safety, then we strongly encourage you to come on the field trip with us and see for yourself. Our landfill is something every resident should be proud of. It is a beautiful place that looks more like a park than a dump.

Does the landfill stink? 

Surprisingly no. The only odiferous area is the active household waste cell and we only spend a few minutes there. We do an activity all over the landfill with the kids called the "sniff test" to test whether it stinks. Most of what you smell is fresh country air.

What should I expect after the field trip? 

Expect your child to be very excited about recycling. They will most likely encourage recycling efforts in your home. Even with adults, it is difficult to visit the landfill and not have a strong desire to reduce your waste. Seeing the mounds of daily garbage makes a huge impression on the kids. Please keep in mind a few figures when your child gets home: Every person in the United States generates over 1 ton of garbage per year. Blount County puts 250 tons of garbage per day into the local landfill. Also keep in mind that your children will be adults when space runs out at our landfill. They will be the decision makers who will decide what to do with waste at that time. Teaching these lessons at an early age is extremely important to prolong the life of our local landfill. Visit our recycling page for local recycling information.

Landfill Tour

Questions

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