Wanda’s favorite doll is chopped into plastic pellets! She’s crushed until she discovers the pellets can be recycled to make a new doll. Your kids explore how things can be reused or recycled again and again.
Pass around trash samples. Ask: If we toss this stuff, where will it go? How can we re-use it? (Jars might become containers, vases; newspaper--packing material, animal bedding; paper-scatch paper, aluminum pie tin) If we recycle these things, what can they become?
- books, pamphlets about recycling. Check with local waste-management service for information
- household trash--glass, plastic, metal, cardboard, Styrofoam, junk mail, broken appliances
Analyze a piece of paper. Ask: What went into making this? (raw materials-trees, chemicals, fuel) If we toss it away, how will we get new paper?(use more raw materials) If we recycle it, what will it become at the recycling plant? (wood pulp) What can we do with that? (e.g., make newspaper, greeting cards, toilet paper, packing or building materials)
Ask: What gets recycled in our community? (Kids may not know that vehicles and large appliances are recycled.)
Brainstorm things kids would like to see made with recycled stuff. Introduce the reference resources.
Pass out activity pages. Let kids work in groups to analyze how the bike seat, handle bars, and tires can be reused and recycled. If kids are stumped at any step, challenge them to come up with ways to find out more about recycling.
With the kids, work out a plan to reduce personal waste. What can you do without? What can be reused? Ask kids to write or draw one way to reduce their waste. Compile ideas on a "Waste Away!" bulletin board.
