CLEAN TEAM HEADQUARTERS
Welcome to the Official Headquarters of the Heroes of Clean!
This is where Captain Crystal, Soapy Sam, Turbo Tide, and the rest of the Clean Team train, plan, and protect our community from grime, gunk, and pollution.
Recycle Right!
Soapy Sam is the bubbly expert on recycling. He shows kids how to sort items, reduce waste, and become everyday recycling heroes.
Kids learn:
- Why recycling helps the planet
- What goes in the recycling bin
- What belongs in the trash
Clean Always Wins!
Every hero knows one rule: messy villains don’t stand a chance when we work together! Captain Crystal leads the charge with super‑powered shine and unstoppable teamwork.
Kids learn:
- How to keep their spaces clean
- Why clean bins help keep neighborhoods healthy
- How small actions make a BIG difference
Protect Our Water!
Turbo Tide teaches every new recruit that our oceans, rivers, and storm drains need heroes too. When trash or dirty water goes into storm drains, it flows straight into our waterways — and that’s where the Clean Team steps in.
Kids learn:
- Easy ways to protect the water around us
- What storm drains do
- How pollution hurts fish and wildlife
CAPTAIN CRYSTAL
Captain Crystal began life as a regular curbside trash bin — sturdy, dependable, and always ready for pickup day. He lived outside a small coastal home where the family took pride in keeping their bin clean, deodorized, and properly used. She loved her job: keeping neighborhoods tidy and preventing trash from blowing into streets and storm drains.
One stormy night, lightning struck him directly while he was freshly cleaned and empty. Instead of melting his plastic, the bolt reacted with the cleaning solution inside, creating a radiant burst of energy. The shock awakened him, giving him consciousness, strength, and a glowing crystal‑blue core.
He rose from the driveway transformed — a sentient trash bin with the power to fight filth, protect families, and keep neighborhoods clean.
His Role in the Clean Team
- Leader of the Clean Team
- Handles trash, odor control, sanitation, and household waste education
- Uses his Crystal Burst to sanitize dirty bins and eliminate foul smells
- Teaches families proper trash disposal and how to avoid contamination
- Keeps the team organized and mission‑focused
- Acts as the “tank” of the team — strong, durable, and unshakeable
SOAPY SAM — THE RECYCLING RANGER
Soapy Sam started as a single bubble floating from a bottle of dish soap during a kitchen cleanup. He drifted outside and landed on Captain Crystal’s lid just as he was struck by lightning. The energy fused with the bubble, giving it life — and a mission.
Sam quickly discovered he had a natural talent for sorting, cleaning, and identifying recyclable materials. He could sense contamination instantly, and his bubbly personality made him perfect for teaching families how to recycle correctly.
His Role in the Clean Team
- Recycling expert and contamination detective
- Handles sorting, cleaning, and recycling education
- Uses his Foam Tornado to wash recyclables and remove grime
- Teaches kids the difference between trash, recycling, and compost
- Keeps the team’s spirits high with humor and energy
- Acts as the “speedster” of the team — quick, agile, and everywhere at once
TURBO TIDE — THE WATERWAY WARRIOR
Turbo Tide was born from a glowing whirlpool where stormwater runoff met the ocean. Pollution threatened the coastline, but instead of disaster, a surge of natural ocean energy created a hero determined to protect every drop of water.
He followed the currents inland and discovered how trash and recycling mistakes affect storm drains, rivers, and oceans. That’s when he joined Captain Crystal and Soapy Sam — forming the Clean Team.
His Role in the Clean Team
- Storm drain and waterway protector
- Handles water pollution, runoff education, and drain safety
- Uses his Hydro‑Jet Burst to blast away grime and blockages
- Teaches families how litter travels from streets to the sea
- Acts as the “scout” of the team — fast, alert, and always on patrol
Activity Books, Downloads, and Water Education Resources
Come and learn about how water pollution affects ecosystems. This material is completely free to use and is provided by water conservation and education departments.
Comic Book Series
Adventures of Turbo Tide
Activity Books
Online Resources
Project WET empowers educators to engage youth to understand water and solve local and global challenges.
Inspiring communities around the world to value and protect water.
The NCDEQ Division of Water Resources Office of Water Education is dedicated to supporting educators throughout North Carolina. The office strives to create programs, events and other resources to connect and engage communities with their local water resources.
