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Become a Waste Warrior and Help Your Community!

2025 Class Syllabus and Schedule

Read about the program's details, including curriculum, schedule, and graduation requirements!

Waste Warriors

Registration for the 2026 Class will begin in November. 


The Burbank Waste Warriors is an intensive training program for people who want to learn more about zero waste concepts and how to engage with their community, improve the environment, and shape the future.

The program involves eight diverse classes over a 3-month period (January through March) that cover all aspects of Zero Waste principles, including the 8 R’s of waste reduction:

  1. Rethink (Redesigning our systems, habits, and mindsets)

  2. Refuse (say no to unnecessary waste)

  3. Reduce (share it, rent it, borrow it)

  4. Reuse (refill, repurpose)

  5. Recycle (remanufacture used materials)

  6. Return (give nutrients back to nature)

  7. Repair (fix, mend, restore)

  8. Regulation (manufacturer responsibility, policy,
    packaging recyclability)

You'll also learn about new California laws and practices, understand the consumption to disposal cycle, and find out why we need environmentally sound choices. 

Classes are on Jan. 11 and 22, Feb. 1, 15, and 26, and March 8, 19, and 29 (Bonus event on Mar. 19!). View the detailed 2025 Waste Warriors Class Schedule (PDF) for more information. 

Classes include hands-on projects, tours, and guest speakers and instruction from professionals at the Burbank Recycle Center. Class schedules, class prep homework, and communications will go through a project management tool, Slack. 

NOTE: You will be required to sign up for Slack and communicate through that program. Feel free to give us a call at (818) 238 - 3903 so we can walk you through this technology if you need help. 

Interested in learning more? Contact us at [email protected].  

Just because you go through the Waste Warior training doesn't mean your journey ends there.  Every student to the program joins other graduates in our growing community.  We share, network, join forces, mentor, brainstorm, and provide a community of neighbors who care about reducing waste.  Many alumni go on to further their education, form partnerships, become entreprenuers, join committees, volunteer or influence their workplaces, schools and networks. 

The Burbank Recycle Center staff hosts regular Waste Warrior alumni gatherings, including pot lucks, volunteer opportunities, and zoom sessions to keep each other inspired.