AVON — Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycled items after you leave them at the curb or drop them off at a recycling drop-site? Without knowing what happens next, it is hard to truly understand the impact you are making. Walking Mountains Science Center, along with Vail Honeywagon, will host the Science Behind Recycling on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

What separates comingled, single-stream and dual-stream recycling? What do those numbers on the bottom of your plastic containers mean? What can you do to reduce your waste? All of these questions and more will be answered during an interactive presentation by Walking Mountains sustainability programs coordinator Melissa Kirr and Shawn Bruckman, sustainability director of Vail Honeywagon.

Want to see the whole process in action? Join Walking Mountains for a free, guided tour of the Eagle County Materials Recovery & Household Hazardous Waste Facilities on Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Vail Honeywagon’s recycling program is the result of the community’s commitment to the environment. Bruckman works to promote and expand recycling, composting and e-waste efforts at Honeywagon. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from Michigan State University. Her experience as the owner and founder of Ground Up, president of the Eagle-Vail Community Gardens and composting educator for the former Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability are assets as Vail Honeywagon expands it citizen outreach and composting and recycling solutions.

Kirr has a passion for the environment and loves sharing it at Walking Mountains. She has lived in Colorado’s mountains for more than 10 years. She holds an associate of science degree in forest technology from Penn State University, Mont Alto campus and a bachelor of science in forest resource management from University of Montana. By joining Walking Mountains during the folding in of Eagle Valley Alliance of Sustainability, Kirr has been able to continue her work on zero-waste projects and the Community Sustainable Film Series.