Keep Topeka/Shawnee County Beautiful

Home

Education Programs

Keep America Beautiful-Topeka/Shawnee County promotes beautification, recycling, litter reduction and graffiti removal. There are many programs that we promote, participate, and partner with other organizations. Below is a list of programs available. For more information, please contact: Philicia at 224-0446; e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it @kabtopsh.org; or www.kabtopsh.org

Education

Campus Pride Award—Recognition program for area schools participating in recycling, litter reduction, or beautification.

Green Fairs--There are many opportunities to exhibit information about KAB at Green Fairs throughout the year including Washburn University's at the Ag Hall and the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

Kansas Lawn and Garden Show—An annual event promoting gardening. We distribute our Recycling Directories, promote KAB, and distribute flyers, stickers and bags for the Advantage Metals Aluminum Can Bonus program.

History and Environmental Fair—Educational opportunity for area school children to learn more about recycling.

KABbage Patch—Teaching gardening to children by creating a garden growing food for zoo animals.

No Child Left Inside—A work in progress, a curriculum for youth (4-6^th graders) designed to take them away from screens and back outside to enjoy nature.

Topeka Water Festival—Educational opportunity for area 4^th graders to learn more about water and the environment.

Safari Edventure—An education event at Topeka Zoo, with a goal to improve the student’s understanding of different animals, cultures, science activities, and environmental issues while having a great time.

In the Spotlight

This part of our new website will be dedicated to featuring businesses or individuals who follow good environmental practices. If you would like to see your business featured here, or if you would like to honor an individual for their best environmental efforts who give back to this community, please send information to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Metal Scrappers

The following individuals will come to your house to pick up all metal free of charge:

Kathy & Ronnie 354-1810

Blanche--640-5944 All appliances and metal, small charge for basements and inside pick ups.

Bobby Harris 233-0104

Bernie Bower 235-5205

Best Buy, 1600 SW Wanamaker, 272-1353

Hours: M-Thu., 10am-9pm, F-Sat., 10am-10pm, Sun., 10am-7pm Ni-Cd Batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, small sealed lead batteries (>2 lbs), rechargeable batteries, telephones, ink cartridges, televisions and computers with a $10 fee, but you receive a $10 gift card to the store.

K-State Research and Extension Office

1740 SW Western Avenue

Topeka, KS 66604-3095

785-232-0062

K-State Research and Extension Office has free compost bins available. They are for Shawnee County residents only and are available through their office, one per household ( not for resale ). The Shawnee County Recycling Department supplies our participating nurseries with the compost bins. Shawnee County residents come into our office between the hours of 8 to 5, Monday through Friday and fill out a sheet for the bin, take a copy of that to their participating nurseries.

Soil tests - They also have a grant from the Shawnee County Conservation District that covers one lawn or garden routine soil test per fiscal year as long as the land is in Shawnee County and as long as the grant lasts.

Mayor Bunten

“Keep America Beautiful is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning up our city. Their contribution to our public efforts that include neighborhood cleanups, the removal of unnecessary public signage and using inmate work crews in our parks, low-income neighborhoods and city streets is significant, and their involvement is an important ingredient in the success we are experiencing.

I acknowledge the importance of this organization that provides a point of contact to those who are prepared to get involved in recapturing and restoring the natural beauty of this city from the urban clutter that today detracts from that beauty.”

This program is funded in part through the use of funds provided by the City of Topeka