Quest 21 – The nature of recycling
LESSON CREATED BY Earth School Partners USING TED-Ed's LESSON CREATOR
Video from TED-Ed YouTube Channel
Let’s Begin…
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials back into new objects. In short it means making something new out of something old. Doing so reduces waste and helps save the environment. Let’s start with a video. Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world. After the video, continue onto other sections to learn more, interact, act and share.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
We’ve all seen signs, heard parents and teachers tell us to recycle, but why is it so important? Where does reusable waste go once we throw it in the recycling bin? Before you dive into the rest of this Quest, check out these short videos to learn more about why recycling matters, and what we can do with recyclable products like plastic:
Watch 1: How Recycling Works (SciShow)
Watch 2: Make Your Own Tiny Recycling Factory (Precious Plastic)
Watch 3: Recycling is Broken, Here's How to Fix It (PBS)
Watch 4: Recycle around your home (Recycle Now)
LEARN + INTERACT:
Play a plastic identification game. First, watch this video from Precious Plastic on the material properties of plastic. Then have a go at guessing different types of plastic. (for ages 8+)
Help the Recycling Gorilla pick up litter and recycle, compost or trash it in this game from National Geographic. (for ages 3-10)
Make EcoBricks to play with. These are bottles filled with soft plastics that make them super strong and useful for building seats, walls, playing garden games, and much more. (for ages 5+)
Test your knowledge. An alternative to throwing things away and creating waste is a move to a ‘circular economy’ where everything is used and reused. Learn more about the circular economy and take a quiz on what and how things can be reused with National Geographic. (for ages 7+)
Discover the different properties of plastic and what new products they can be recycled into. (for ages 7+)
Debate with your family. Should we burn plastic waste? Learn more in this great article by National Geographic and then discuss it with other people in your household. (for ages 13+)
ACT + SHARE
Go fly a kite: check out these great kite instructions from the Precious Plastics team. Want to try some more recycling at home? Why not collect plastic bottle tops for the next month and then create some amazing artwork, like a flower? There are tons of fun ideas here. Share your creations with us online via #EarthSchool (for all ages)
Have a go at recycling at home by taking an old plastic bottle and turning it into something else. Maybe with a bit of soil it can be a plant pot (you can even use it to grow plants upside-down!) Perhaps you could give it arms and legs and make a doll. What about creating a musical instrument like this UN young champion of the Earth for Africa did in Egypt? There are loads of great ideas here. Be sure to take pictures of your creations and share them using #EarthSchool. (for all ages)
Draw a recycling guide for your home. Make a big poster and stick it above the trash bins indicating which items can be recycled. Be sure to draw pictures to help and remind your family. Make sure to check with your parents to help you find out what is recyclable where you live, as the rules are different all over the world. (for all ages)
WANT MORE?
Learn more about the plastic recycling challenge with National Geographic. (for ages 11+)
Watch Oliver and a Sphinx go on an adventure to make a big ball of waste much smaller. (for ages 3-8)
Learn what you can do to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle with Planet Earth. (for ages 3-8)
Tour a recycling factory. (for all ages)
Reflect on the current situation with recycling that has come to be known as The Great Recycling Con. (for ages 10+)
Resources for Parents and Educators:
Watch “A Planet Full of Plastic” written and recorded by primary school children from the UK for lots of inspiration and ideas for activities and initiatives to do with your students.
Read with your youngest:
“Why should I recycle?” Read by Meggie the Pig! (for ages 3-6)
“How to Help the Earth, by The Lorax” (PV Storytime) (for ages 3-8)
“What does it mean to be green?” (LittlePicklePress) (for ages 3-8)
Watch with your youngest:
Why is recycling important? Find out more with Learning Mole (age 3+)
Join Peppa Pig as she learns more about recycling (for ages 3+)
This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts: Jessica Espey (UNSDSN) and Steph Pietras (UNSDSN) with some additional resources made by Adam Beattie and Mariska Lamiaud (Precious Plastic Montreal)
Watch 1: How Recycling Works (SciShow)
Watch 2: Make Your Own Tiny Recycling Factory (Precious Plastic)
Watch 3: Recycling is Broken, Here's How to Fix It (PBS)
Watch 4: Recycle around your home (Recycle Now)
LEARN + INTERACT:
Play a plastic identification game. First, watch this video from Precious Plastic on the material properties of plastic. Then have a go at guessing different types of plastic. (for ages 8+)
Help the Recycling Gorilla pick up litter and recycle, compost or trash it in this game from National Geographic. (for ages 3-10)
Make EcoBricks to play with. These are bottles filled with soft plastics that make them super strong and useful for building seats, walls, playing garden games, and much more. (for ages 5+)
Test your knowledge. An alternative to throwing things away and creating waste is a move to a ‘circular economy’ where everything is used and reused. Learn more about the circular economy and take a quiz on what and how things can be reused with National Geographic. (for ages 7+)
Discover the different properties of plastic and what new products they can be recycled into. (for ages 7+)
Debate with your family. Should we burn plastic waste? Learn more in this great article by National Geographic and then discuss it with other people in your household. (for ages 13+)
ACT + SHARE
Go fly a kite: check out these great kite instructions from the Precious Plastics team. Want to try some more recycling at home? Why not collect plastic bottle tops for the next month and then create some amazing artwork, like a flower? There are tons of fun ideas here. Share your creations with us online via #EarthSchool (for all ages)
Have a go at recycling at home by taking an old plastic bottle and turning it into something else. Maybe with a bit of soil it can be a plant pot (you can even use it to grow plants upside-down!) Perhaps you could give it arms and legs and make a doll. What about creating a musical instrument like this UN young champion of the Earth for Africa did in Egypt? There are loads of great ideas here. Be sure to take pictures of your creations and share them using #EarthSchool. (for all ages)
Draw a recycling guide for your home. Make a big poster and stick it above the trash bins indicating which items can be recycled. Be sure to draw pictures to help and remind your family. Make sure to check with your parents to help you find out what is recyclable where you live, as the rules are different all over the world. (for all ages)
WANT MORE?
Learn more about the plastic recycling challenge with National Geographic. (for ages 11+)
Watch Oliver and a Sphinx go on an adventure to make a big ball of waste much smaller. (for ages 3-8)
Learn what you can do to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle with Planet Earth. (for ages 3-8)
Tour a recycling factory. (for all ages)
Reflect on the current situation with recycling that has come to be known as The Great Recycling Con. (for ages 10+)
Resources for Parents and Educators:
Watch “A Planet Full of Plastic” written and recorded by primary school children from the UK for lots of inspiration and ideas for activities and initiatives to do with your students.
Read with your youngest:
“Why should I recycle?” Read by Meggie the Pig! (for ages 3-6)
“How to Help the Earth, by The Lorax” (PV Storytime) (for ages 3-8)
“What does it mean to be green?” (LittlePicklePress) (for ages 3-8)
Watch with your youngest:
Why is recycling important? Find out more with Learning Mole (age 3+)
Join Peppa Pig as she learns more about recycling (for ages 3+)
This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts: Jessica Espey (UNSDSN) and Steph Pietras (UNSDSN) with some additional resources made by Adam Beattie and Mariska Lamiaud (Precious Plastic Montreal)
We look forward to seeing your Quest in action!
Document your Quests— take photos of the experiments, activities, drawings, and writing prompts you tried— and share your journey with the Earth School team and students by using #EarthSchool. We'll feature some of your photos and stories on our social channels, hopefully encouraging others to join the cause!
Explore additional creative activities (for all ages!) from the Nature of Individual Action and save images of your work from each Quest in Littlescribe — later you can create an original card, book, magazine or calendar to bring your adventures to life!
Document your Quests— take photos of the experiments, activities, drawings, and writing prompts you tried— and share your journey with the Earth School team and students by using #EarthSchool. We'll feature some of your photos and stories on our social channels, hopefully encouraging others to join the cause!
Explore additional creative activities (for all ages!) from the Nature of Individual Action and save images of your work from each Quest in Littlescribe — later you can create an original card, book, magazine or calendar to bring your adventures to life!
