IN THIS LESSON

This lesson plan encourages students to learn why we recycle and how we do it. Learn to recycle properly.

  • Introduce the importance of recycling.

  • Review the do’s and don’ts of recycling.

Short Video: How are Recycled Materials Sorted? | LearningMole

Introduction

Based on the EPA, 75% of the American waste is recyclable, yet we only recycle 30% of it. Recycling can be imtimidating. There are so many factors to consider when recycling. One faulty item in a trash means the ENTIRE bin must be discarded. However, after a little practice, recycling can come with an ease.

Why Should I Recycle?

In America, even though sorting trash is not mandatory, we need to be careful in what we throw into the blue recycling bin. While some things are recyclable, such as batteries, they CANNOT be thrown into the recycling bin in our home or community. There are significant benefits to recycling.

Here are some, just to list a few:

  1. Saves energy

    • Recycling just 10 plastic bottles saves enough energy to power a laptop for more than 25 hours.

    • A single recycled plastic bottle saves enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.

  2. Conserve natural resources

    • About a football field of forests are lost every second around the world.

    • Due to the growing human population, there has been a greater strain placed on the natural resources we use, such as fossil fuels. At the rate we are using them, currently, the will eventually run out in the future. That’s why recycling as much as we can can reduce the demand for natural resources.

  3. Reduces waste and pollution

    • How hard is it to pick up your own trash and throw it into the trashcan 10 feet away from you?

    • It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce and reuse!

  4. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    • Recycling can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

    • Carbon is harmful when it is trapped in our atmosphere because it contributes to global warming.

  5. Protect natural habitats

    • Animal habitats are destroyed every year, every day.

What Should I Recycle?

Up to 91% of our items can be recycled, yet we people, in general, merely recycle less than half of that. Not all items are recyclable, however; contaminated materials, certain plastics, or food waste is not be accepted.

Here are some general rules:

  1. Never recycle items contaminated by food waste or other ways of contamination.

  2. Do not recycle electronic items; these should be taken to specific local areas that take in these products and reuse them.

  3. Not all paper is recyclable.

Papers

  • Newspapers

  • Catalogs

  • Magazines

  • Flattened cardboard and cereal boxes

  • Mail

  • Office/ print paper

  • Mixed paper

  • NO: Napkins and paper towels

Metal

  • Cleaned and washed

  • Aluminum food and beverage containers

  • Clean aluminum foil

  • Soda cans

  • Tin cans

  • Aerosol cans

  • Pots and pans

  • Scrap metal

  • NO: Tires/ auto parts, electronics, batteries

Plastic

  • Look for these recycling numbers: #1, #2, #5

  • Plastic containers with narrow neck

  • Without the cap: milk, water, juice, detergent, shampoo, etc.

  • Clean plastic tubs

  • NO: styrofoam, plastic bags should be reused

Cartons

  • Cleaned and washed

  • Milk containers

  • Juice boxes and cartons

  • Egg cartons

Glass

  • It is best to recycle glass in a separate bin or different drop-off location

  • Clean and rinse beverage containers

  • Clear, brown, and green glass food containers

Key Takeaways

❖ Always look for the recycling symbol.

❖ Check for the recycling number.

❖ Clean and wash your containers beforehand!

❖ Replace the cap when recycling cartons.

❖ Some items should be dropped off in separate locations.

Now that you’ve learned how to properly recycle, lets put it into practice!

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  • Quizziz

  • SC.4.E.6.3 Recognize that humans need resources found on Earth and that these are either renewable or nonrenewable.

    SC.4.L.17.4 Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment.