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Where to Recycle

Recycling potentially dangerous materials is not only beneficial; it's also required in many places. Students will explore how and why we recycle certain products and create a visual display as a reminder.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Heavy Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and regulatory agencies around the world have created regulations regarding how to dispose of or recycle potentially hazardous materials. Have students learn about the benefits of doing this, such as protecting the environment, reducing pollution levels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the use of raw materials, and others. Ask them to explore programs that help you dispose of certain items. For example, some pharmacies and police stations may have times when they collect unused medications. And the non-renewable raw-earth materials used to make batteries can be processed and reused when batteries are brought to appropriate facilities rather than thrown into a landfill.

  • Step 2

    Have students form groups to create a chart depicting items to be recycled and where they can be brought. One student can create a pouch, perhaps resembling a bucket, by cutting out the shape that will be glued to a piece of paper, and then cutting out a matching shape that will be glued along the edges and bottom to the background on the paper, leaving the top open. Other students can then create strips that identify objects to be recycled on one side and the places to bring them on the reverse side. These can be inserted into the pouch. 

  • Step 3

    Have the student groups present their creations and discuss the importance of protecting the Earth and its resources. 

Standards

SCI: Use evidence to support the concept that behaviors can be influenced by the environment and the environment is impacted by behavior. 

SS: Time, Continuity, and Change: Understand linkages between human decisions and consequences. 

Adaptations

Invite a speaker such as a government representative or waste management consultant to speak to the class about the importance of properly disposing of and/or recycling materials.

Have students design and create posters to place throughout the school to remind people of the need to properly dispose of and recycle materials. The charts could include reasons why this is so important and locations in the community where items can be brought.