National Recycling Week - Recycle Rescue

Australian Curriculum content descriptions:

Year 7 Science:

• Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, including water that cycles through the environment, but others are non-renewable (ACSSU116)

Year 8 Science:

• Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations (ACSHE135)

Syllabus outcomes: SC4-11PW, SC4-12ES.

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capabilities

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.3, OI.7, OI.9

Relevant parts of Year 7 Science achievement standards: Students explain possible implications of the solution for different groups in society

Relevant parts of Year 8 Science achievement standards: Students reflect on implications of these solutions for different groups in society

Unit of work: National Recycling week

Time required: 60 mins

• A range of whiteboard markers
• Internet access
• Data projectors
• Compatible device capable of playing an online video, enough devices to facilitate online research in groups of 3-4 students
• Student Worksheet (one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet)

Additional resources:  

• MobileMuster Website: The Recycling Process
• PlanetArk Factsheet: What Happens To The Printer Cartridges?

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• communication
• empathy
• critical thinking
• creativity

Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week started in 1996 to bring a national focus to the environmental benefits of recycling. This highly regarded annual campaign continues to educate and stimulate behaviour change by promoting kerbside, industrial and community recycling initiative. It also gives people the tools to minimise waste and manage material resources responsibly at home, work and school. In partnership with Planet Ark, we have developed lessons from early learning through to year 10 to help educators bring these important topics into the classroom.

National Recycling Week is held in the second week of November each year but you can recycle all year-round with these lessons which were designed to be used at any time. Click here to find out more about National Recycling Week and the Schools Recycle Right Challenge. 

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class sharing activities and discussion