Our team works together according to these shared values.
Main Opportunities
Everyone who aligns with our team values and shares our goal of increasing waste literacy in the community while reducing plastic pollution in our ecosystems is welcome to join. (We also hope you love raccoons, but it’s ok if you don’t!)
If you’re looking to get more involved with waste literacy programs, while having a lot of fun and meeting others who share a passion for waste reduction, we’d love to have you!
Volunteer Opportunities
- Join us as a Member: When you become a member of the U of T Trash Team, we add you to our internal listserv where we share upcoming opportunities to get involved. To join, email uofttrashteam@gmail.com.
We also have a monthly public newsletter for anyone looking to receive updates on latest news and upcoming events. Subscribe here.
- U of T Trash Team Ambassador: A volunteer leadership role to increase waste literacy by representing us at local events, including cleanups, public presentations, youth workshops and info tables. U of T Trash Team Ambassadors exemplify the core values of the U of T Trash Team and foster a positive and hopeful approach to the topic of plastic pollution. (CCR Eligible)
How to Apply: Applications open annually in September and are open to individuals 18 years and older with a shared passion for waste literacy. For more details, contact Susan Debreceni, Program Lead of Volunteer Engagement and Community Programs: susan.debreceni@utoronto.ca
Short-term Paid Opportunities
- Waste Literacy Instructor: Join a team of peers to deliver lessons to grade 4-6 classrooms through a mix of hands-on and discussion-based programming. Our four lessons highlight the prevalence of plastics in our natural environment and what their impact is. (CCR Eligible)
How to Apply: Applications open twice a year (September and November) and are open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the U of T Faculty of Arts and Science. For more details, email Hayley McIlwraith, Education and Community Science Specialist: hayley.mcilwraith@utoronto.ca.
- Fighting Floatables Research Assistant: Join our Fighting Floatables project to help with emptying our trash traps, manual skimming of litter, and quantifying and characterizing litter collected via established protocols. This position is open to undergraduate students.
How to Apply: Review position description here. Please send your CV or resume as well as a one-page cover letter describing your qualifications and why you would like this position. Email to Chelsea Rochman at chelsea.rochman@utoronto.ca by Tuesday February 24, 2026.
- Pollution Prevention Project Fellowship: Fellows will have a passion to reduce plastic pollution and a creative idea to lead their own Pollution Prevention Project. This year, we are looking for fellows interested in proposing the next phase to one of our existing projects – to help us get from first launch to policy change. This position is open to undergraduate and graduate students within the last 2 years.
How to Apply: Review position description here. Please send 1) a short cover letter describing why you would like this position and why you are qualified for it, 2) a two-page proposal that includes background on the problem (i.e., source of plastic pollution) with references, the objectives of your proposed research or pilot project, an action plan for the research project or pilot to test a solution (keep feasibility in mind), any preliminary data if relevant or your expected results, the significance of the project, and a budget, and 3) your CV or resume with contact information for two references. Email to Chelsea Rochman at chelsea.rochman@utoronto.ca by Monday March 2, 2026.
Benefits of Joining
- Co-Curricular record (U of T students only – Ambassador and Waste Literacy Instructor roles)
- Be part of a friendly community
- Gain science communication skills
- Become a leader in our community
- Opportunities to try new things, explore and innovate
- Learn more about current research on plastic pollution
- Contribute to positive change locally while inspiring others to reduce plastic pollution globally
No matter how you get involved, we look forward to having you as a valued member of the team to help us shape the future of waste literacy!