Talkin' Trash Horry County Solid Waste Authority

2026 – 2027

A recycling competition for Horry County 4th graders.

See the challenges Meet the winners
Challenges A new challenge every month, October through March. See all six
Watch

See it in thirty seconds

The season's television spot, made with our friends at WPDE.

Listen

The Talkin' Trash theme song

Bruce and Rocky have a song, and it is exactly as catchy as you are afraid it is. Play it at your kickoff assembly, over the morning announcements, or on the bus ride to the Grand Finale.

Bruce Refuse and Rocky the Recycling Raccoon dancing in headphones while the theme song plays

Now cueing up

“We're Talkin' Trash”

The Talkin' Trash theme, 0:44

Download the MP3
How the contest works

Recycle. Take the challenge. Win.

Schools are measured every month from October through March. Your score is the weight your school keeps out of the landfill, plus bonus points from the monthly challenges.

Bruce Refuse and Rocky the Recycling Raccoon sorting recycling and compost into bins with a group of students
1

Recycle all year

The SWA collects and weighs what your school recycles and composts each month. Every pound is measured per student, so schools of any size can win.

2

Take on the challenge

A new challenge lands every month, plus ongoing challenges you can knock out any time. Each one adds bonus points to your monthly total.

3

Win, every month

The top three schools each month get a plaque, a $300 check, a prize for every 4th grader, a visit from the Talkin' Trash crew, and a spot on TV.

2026 – 2027 monthly challenges

Six months, six challenges

Submit everything to education@solidwasteauthority.org by the end of the month.

October Waste & Recycling Information Station 2 pts / station Due Oct 31 November America Recycles Day Campaign 2 pts / pledge Due Nov 30 December Student Compost & Recycling Tip Video 2 pts / video Due Dec 31 January Waste & Recycling Workers Thank Yous 2 pts / note Due Jan 31 February Recycled Art Project 2 pts / project Due Feb 28 March: the big one Video Diary 100 points Due Mar 31
All challenges, including ongoing
Last season's champions

2025 – 2026 Grand Finale Winners

Three schools out-recycled the whole county and earned the Grand Finale field trip.

1
Conway Elementary
Grand Finale
2
River Oaks Elementary
Grand Finale
3
Palmetto Bays Elementary
Grand Finale
Every month's winners Watch the segments
The prize

The Grand Finale field trip

The three schools that divert the most waste across the whole season win a fun-filled educational field trip to close out the year. Lunch and transportation are provided.

May 26, 2027 May 27, 2027 May 28, 2027
Bruce Refuse and Rocky the Recycling Raccoon filling a blue recycling cart at the curb

The 2026 – 2027 Program Guide

Every challenge, every deadline, every presentation date, and how points are awarded. All in one PDF for your school's liaison.

Download the guide
Reach out

Questions? Let's talk trash.

Kendra Dickerson

Kendra Dickerson

Coordinator of Recycling Programs for Horry County

843-458-7462 kdickerson@solidwasteauthority.org
Victoria Johnson

Victoria Johnson

Coordinator of Recycling Programs for Horry County

843-516-2510 vjohnson@solidwasteauthority.org
Bruce Refuse

Bruce Refuse

President, Talkin' Trash. The King of Recycling.

843-347-1651 education@solidwasteauthority.org

Submitting a challenge? Send it to education@solidwasteauthority.org