Unit 9: Waste Not, Want Not
Recycling decisions activity guide
Developed by
This project was funded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Australia licence. A copy of this licence is available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by‐nc/2.5/au/ or by writing to info@creativecommons.org.au. However logos are protected by copyright. Page 1 of 5
Unit 9: Waste Not, Want Not
Recycling decisions activity guide
Estimated duration: 40 minutes Aim • • •
To develop greater awareness and critical thinking about waste disposal
To develop knowledge about local recycling services To develop skills in identifying types of materials
Outcome By the end of this class, students will be able to: • demonstrate knowledge of which common materials are recyclable • demonstrate skills in seeking information about waste disposal • demonstrate skills in identifying types of packaging materials
Resources • • • • •
Recycling cards sets, one between 4 or 5 students (to make the cards, print the slideshow as a handout with say six slides per page, then cut them up so each slide is one card) Slideshow: Recycling decisions Answers which are specific to your area. Available from www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au. Also see example answers below. Computer and data projector Internet (optional)
Activity Description 1. Introduce the activity by asking the group what the benefits of recycling are.
Draw out various answers such as: • materials get reused • recycling saves on having to use more raw materials (e.g. if recycled paper is used instead of unrecycled, not as many trees are cut down) • recycling reduces the amount of stuff going to landfill • recycling reduces pollutants leaching into water table from landfill sites • recycling makes us think about what we use and throw away 2. Split the class up into groups of 4 or 5. Introduce an activity to test their knowledge on what can and what cannot be recycled. Give each group a set of the recycling cards you have printed from the slideshow. 3. Explain the three categories you will be asking the students to divide the cards into: • Cannot be recycled • Can be recycled and can put it in recycling bin Page 2 of 5
•
Can be recycled but cannot be put in recycling bin (e.g. computers and mobile phones, which can be recycled, but need to be taken to special drop off points, not just put in the recycling bin)
4. Ask each group to separate the cards into the three categories. Give each group 5‐ 10 minutes to do this. Option: Give students a limited amount of time to research using the internet and award prizes to the team with the most correct answers. 5. Use the recycling decisions slideshow to discuss the answers with the class. 6. Ask student to write their answers onto the worksheet now. 7. Finish the activity by discussing the recycling tips below.
Recycling Tips • Establish a simple recycling system inside for collecting materials so you do not have to constantly go out to put things in the bin or to wash them. For example, organise a box or specific area to put all containers to be recycled. After washing the dishes (including waste containers) place all the materials to be recycled into recycling bin. • Do not place containers to be recycled into plastic bags when putting them into bin. Just put them in loose. Plastic bags can not be recycled in most household recycling bins, and make it harder to get to the things that can be recycled. • Ensure all items are separated. Bottles and their lids are made of different types of plastic, so they can’t be recycled together. You need to take the lid off and put both the lid and the bottle in the recycling bin. • Make sure you clean all items before placing them in the recycling. Set up a system such as using the water left after you complete the dishes to wash out jars, etc. before putting in recycling bin. • Check inside your recycling bin lid, as it will give you specific instructions on what you can recycle in your area. You can also look up your area on www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au. • If in doubt leave it out. If Items that cannot be recycled contaminate the recycling process, the whole load of recycling cannot be processed and is sent to landfill.
Page 3 of 5
Example answers The following answers were correct for Ballarat at the time of writing (answers will vary from area to area, depending on what the local council collects). Answers obtained from the local shire website (www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/Waste_and_Recycling/index.aspx) and www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au. Cannot be recycled
Can be recycled but cannot be put in recycling bin Cling wrap Hot ashes (let cool & then compost) Nappies Organic Liquids (compost or put in the garden) Pyrex, crockery or broken glass Shopping bags & green bags (should be taken to participating retailers & supermarkets) Motor oil containers Garden waste (compost or put in council’s special green waste collection) Garbage (garbage collection) Car batteries (should be taken to a hazardous chemical collection program like Detox Your Home) Fluorescent tubes & globes Batteries (AA etc) (hazardous (should be taken to a hazardous chemical collection or can be chemical collection program, taken to some retailers) like Detox Your Home, for safe disposal) Acids, chemicals (hazardous chemical collection)
Hazardous waste (chemical hazardous collection) Old, unwanted, expired medicines (should be returned to any pharmacy, for safe disposal) Aerosol cans (chemical hazardous collection) Polystyrene
Motor oil (hazardous chemical collection, also accepted by some recycling centres) Corks (collected by various charities)
Clothing (should be taken to a charity bin) Computers (should be taken to the Byteback program) Mobile phones
Can be recycled but can be put in recycling bin Glass bottles & jars Newspapers & magazines Cardboard
Letters, envelopes (including envelopes with windows) Telephone books
Work & school papers
Milk & juice containers and tetrapaks (e.g. for UHT milk). The ice‐cream container in the slideshow can also be recycled, as it’s made from the same material as a milk carton. Soft drink bottles Toiletries & detergent bottles
Clean foil Yoghurt containers Cans – both steel cans (e.g. baked beans) and aluminium cans (e.g. soft drink) Plastic food container (if it has the right recycling number on it) Soft drink bottle lids Pizza box (if not too much food on it – other wise can be composted)
Page 4 of 5
Student Roles and Responsibilities Participate in agreed tasks Contribute to class discussions Complete activities and worksheets Work cooperatively with others Seek teacher assistance and support when needed
Level of Teacher Support Facilitate discussion Organise materials and equipment Present slideshow Provide encouragement Introduce tasks and activities Provide assistance when requested. Provide advice on how to research and identify sources of information
Assessment To use this learning activity as an assessment task, collect evidence such as: Teacher checklist and observation Copies of student materials and worksheets Student notes Teacher checklist for class discussions
Page 5 of 5