Teacher preparation

Overarching learning goals: In this activity students work together to identify where their waste comes from. They decide if various classroom items are able to be 'reused', 'recycled', 'composted' or if it is 'waste'. They take responsibility for the waste generated by their classroom including managing a reuse box.

Teacher content information

We can expect students in primary school to take responsibility for the management of classroom waste. One of the most important concepts for them to develop is the orderly use of a paper reuse box. They will need to decide what paper goes into the box and what paper should go into the recycling box (each piece of paper that becomes waste will need to go into the reuse box if the back can be used, and the recycle box if it can’t be reused). It must go in the rubbish bin if it has been contaminated by food.

If your classroom doesn't already have a paper reuse box (for paper that has been used only on one side and can still be used on the other side), find a small suitable box and bring it to the class for this activity.

Student and classroom organisation:

Step 1

As students may not be familiar with the different terms for different types of waste, begin this activity by familiarising students with the following terms (using examples of things that might be found in a student lunchbox). Write these terms on the board as you discuss them:

Waste – any material that is no longer needed. Examples from your lunchbox might be: plastic used to wrap your sandwich, your empty juice box or an apple core. You might be able to recycle, reuse or compost these things so don't just put them straight into the rubbish bin.
Recycle – materials that can be made into something new at a factory. Examples from your lunchbox: paper sandwich wrap used to wrap your sandwich or empty juice boxes.
Reuse – material that can be reused in a different or new way. Examples from your lunchbox: paper or plastic bags can be used to carry things other than your lunch.
Composting material – material that comes from plants such as fruit and vegetables scraps. Examples from your lunchbox: apple core or banana skin.
Rubbish – material that can't be recycled or composted or reused. Examples from your lunchbox: plastic used to wrap your sandwich and the plastic straw from your juice box. These things can't be reused, recycled or composted and should be put in the rubbish bin.
Litter – material that has escaped from the rubbish or recycling bin and might pollute the environment.

Step 2

Once students are familiar with the waste words ask them to watch the following clip (also available on the student worksheet):

Sorting Your Recycling - Video 1 from Cool Australia on Vimeo.

Following the video, ask your students what happens after the material has been sorted. Explain that:

The old aluminium can will be recycled and made into a new one;
The class jar/bottle will be made into a new one; and
The paper might become paper, but could be made into cardboard.

Step 3

Now choose several items that can be reused (either draw them on the board or hold up the samples you bought into the class) and explain how:

A small plastic bottle could be reused as a pencil holder or for paint.
A large glass jar could be used as a container bits a pieces e.g. paper clips, elastic bands etc.
A sheet of paper only used on one side can be reused to make a scrap notepad.
An aluminium can can’t be reused.

If your school has a compost system revisit what can go into your school’s compost and where the compost buckets are located for students to place their scraps.

Step 4

It's time to look at how your class deals with its waste. Your classroom will have a rubbish bin and maybe a recycling bin. Do you have a reuse paper box? If not, what normally happens to old paper? Does it go into the recycling bin? Does your classroom also have a general recycling container and/or a compost bucket? Watch the clip below to find out how other primary school students manage their classroom waste.

Ask students watch the following clip (also available on the student worksheet) explaining to them that this shows how students from one school manage their waste.

Managing Classroom Waste - Video 5 from Cool Australia on Vimeo.

Following the video ask the questions:

What do the students in the video do in their classroom?
What do you think we can do in our classroom?

Step 5

Have a look at the bins in your classroom and ask students to respond to the following questions:

What materials go into which bin?
What do we do if we are not sure?

Now focus on the reuse paper box and ask students to respond to the following questions:

When do we place paper into the reuse box?
When do we take paper out of the reuse box?
Does our reuse box have a good label or symbol? Do we need to make one?

Step 6

Next ask the students to complete the student worksheet. They are to decide if the items are able to be 'reused', 'recycled', 'composted' or if it is 'waste'. They should write their answer next to the picture then colour it in.

Reflection

Discuss with students that everyone who uses the classroom is responsible for making sure it stays clean. What do we all need to do to look after the classroom? Ask students to think about what they can do to help. Consider the following points to guide the discussion:

Tidying up after activities and at the end of the day returning items to their correct location.
Looking after their belongings.
Making sure the waste is sorted, tidy, clean and emptied at regular intervals.
Turn off lights when everyone has left the room.
Don’t leave electrical equipment on when it isn’t needed (need strict rules with computers).
What else can students be responsible for in the classroom?

As a class decide the best way to look after the classroom. Work out how the class will organise themselves and if any rules are required.

Teacher reflection

Take this opportunity to reflect on your own teaching

What did you learn about your teaching today?
What worked well?
What didn't work so well?
What would you share?
Where to next?
How are you going to get there?

These Planet Ark resources were developed by Cool Australia with funding from the Alcoa Foundation.

National Recycling Week - My Classroom Waste

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