Waste Reduction
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42 Ways to Trim Your Holiday Wasteline
 | Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - Fact sheet - Holiday - List - Web site |
| Summary: Are you a waste-wise warrior or merely a waste-wise wannabe? Americans throw away 25% more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra t... |
| View more information on this link |
A Lot of Garbage
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - School Projects |
| Summary: Students will define and give examples of waste and identify the amounts of solid waste produced by individuals and groups. This activity conducts an audit of classroom waste and is an appropriate activity for grades 1-3. |
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Are you Dreaming of the Perfect Holiday
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: Some thoughts to consider over the holidays as we march through the frenzy of consumerism. |
| View more information on this link |
Back to School
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Students, parents, and teachers can all make a difference in reducing waste at school. By practicing the "3 Rs" of waste reduction—reduce, reuse, and recycle—you can all do your part with these tips from US EPA. |
| View more information on this link |
Back to School Waste Prevention
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Start the school year off with less wasteful materials. Identify some ways to reuse from the previous year, to buy wisely and recycled, to manage batteries and reuse or recycle electronics and plan lunch for waste reduction. Some very good suggestions, combi... |
| View more information on this link |
Basic Facts of Municipal Solid Waste
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Glossary - Web site |
| Summary: This provides a good resource for obtaining a large variety of facts and statistical information on solid waste. Values, trends, statistical data and glossary are accessible. |
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Battery Lesson Plan
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Students will use their science, mathematics, history, economics, chemistry and language arts skills while participating in interactive experiments and activities. The activities demonstrate how batteries work and they explore different types of batteries, ex... |
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Besmart
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: This waste reduction website from Wisconsin highlights events and efforts from their state and identifies national resources as well as creative events and programs that could be modified for local use. |
| View more information on this link |
Buy Nothing Christmas
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Fact sheet - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: This is a suggestions from neighbors in Canada and how to initiate a "buy nothing Christmas" They offer ready to print coupons for desserts, child care or back massages. Some interesting Christmas Carols can be found ie Consume WOnderland; Uh Oh We're in the... |
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Buyer's Choice
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5 and can be used in social science and math. Students will assess the factors that affect purchases and recognize that a number of economic factors affect consumer choices and that some factors are enviornmental in nature... |
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California Integrated Waste Management for State Agencies
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: "The Board promotes a zero waste California in partnership with local government, industry, and the public. This means managing the estimated 76 million tons of waste generated each year by reducing waste whenever possible, promoting the management of all mate... |
| View more information on this link |
Campus Zero Waste
| Grade Level: Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: This is a resource dedicated to helping colleges and universities serve as effective role models and how they can reduce waste and conserve resources. Action guidelines are provided for recycling, reducing/reusing, composting and establishing zero waste campu... |
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Case of the Broken Loop
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This mystery (detective) activity from US EPA helps guide learners to recognize ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. Life cycles are introduced and the Garbage Gremlin breaks the loop by tossing out trash instead or recycling or reusing. |
| View more information on this link |
Case of the Broken Loop (Spanish)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - Language Options |
| Summary: This mystery (detective) activity from US EPA helps guide learners to recognize ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. Life cycles are introduced and the Garbage Gremlin breaks the loop by tossing out trash instead or recycling or reusing. This 12 page... |
| View more information on this link |
Christmas Tree and Holiday recycling
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: Before recycling trees in your neighborhoods, be sure to check local requirements on what will be accepted and their programs operate. This provides suggestions on Recycling holiday trees (if you have to) in California. |
| View more information on this link |
Clean Sweep U.S.A.
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: The Keep America Beautiful project has a site for upper elementary and middle school students on six topics related to waste management, composting, recycling and recovery, landfills, and how waste materials can be burned to generate electricity. Additional te... |
| View more information on this link |
College Recycling LInks
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Links about recycling and conserving for college students are offered. |
| View more information on this link |
Composting in Schools
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - BiblioResources (Books) - Case Study - Classroom Lessons - Experiment - Glossary - Web site |
| Summary: This site is provided by the Cornell Waste Management Institute and Cornell University. Cornell Composting privides scientific inquiry for high school students as well as instructions for observing compost invertegrates and microorganisms, ideas for student... |
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Composting: Nature's Recycling Program
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Case Study - Checklist - Classroom Lessons - Web site |
| Summary: EDF provides directions on how to begin a waste prevention initiative at school as well as how to compost and what supplies are required. They offer a case study and a biblioresource. |
| View more information on this link |
Cradle to Cradle, Remaking the Way We Make Things
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: NonFiction
Authors, William McDonough and Michael Braungart
ISBN 0865475873 April 22, 2002
These authors examine the way things are produced and recycled and how humans consume. They want to eliminate waste altogether yet preserve... |
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Crafting Aluminum Art and Foiling Around
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Holiday - Recycled Products - School Projects |
| Summary: Use aluminum cans to create aluminum wreaths and centerpieces. Free patterns are provided. A waste-free E-book is also sold and it appears to be chock full of creative projects including holiday crafts, baskets and boxes, wall hangings and more. Links to ot... |
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Crayon Recycle Program
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - School Projects |
| Summary: The Crayon Recycle Program offers an opportunity to "do your part for the Earth" as well as a community service. Crayon drives can be organized and recycled. This program takes rejected, broken crayons and recycles them into new beautiful Crazy Crayons. |
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Creating Less Trash at School
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - List |
| Summary: Creative suggestions for creating less waste at school.
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Day the Trash Came Out to Play, The
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Fiction
Author,/b> David M. Beadle
ISBN 0972785507
Story and humor combine to teach about litter and community efforts. Lessons focus on rethinking, reducing, reusing and recycling. For a review see | | View more information on this link |
Deck the Halls with Less Waste this Year!
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: As part of their ongoing efforts to cut trash in half, the California Integrated Waste Management Board would like to help you cut the amount of trash you put out at the curb during the upcoming holiday season. This site is a one-stop site for all the informat... |
| View more information on this link |
Decorative Holiday Lights
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet - Holiday |
| Summary: C7, C9, Miniature and Icicle Lights are compared. Avoid feeling like Scrooge and explore the options for lighting and decorating.
Let students do the math on the costs of lighting for their homes.
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| View more information on this link |
Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention (Ohio)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Database - List - Research - Web site |
| Summary: This website identifies potential community grants, recycling efforts in Ohio,rates and local contacts, a variety of studies including a Waste Characterization Study, educational tools and more. |
| View more information on this link |
Division of Waste Management (Kentucky)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Database - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: A directory, education section, fact sheets, forms, news and events as well as links to other environmental resources and programs are offered.
Programs include a hazardous waste program, enforcement, field operations, solid waste, superfund and more. |
| View more information on this link |
Dumpster Diver, The
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Fiction
Author, Janet Wong, Illustrator David Roberts ISBN 9780763623807
The topsy-turvy artwork keeps things light, but adults will find plenty to talk about with children, from the value of creative conservation to safe modeling of th... |
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Educating children to be the Future responsible consumers
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet |
| Summary: A collection of resources from Europe that emphasize back-to-school green campaigns, waste prevention in school curricula, and overviews of activities and logic supporting these activities. |
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Environment, The, Saving the Planet
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Materials - School Projects |
| Summary: Non-fiction
AuthorRosie Harlow and Sally Morgan. ISBN0-7534-5426-2 AbstractFour sections, Energy and Power, Nature in Danger, Pollution and Waste, and Garbage and Recycling, are supported by brief introductions (2 pages each) to sp... |
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Environmental Virtual Campus
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: Developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this virtual campus uses an engaging, intuitive format to highlight potential environmental issues at nine campus areas, and provides compliance information and good management practices on a number... |
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E-Scrap Management Toolkit
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Through a series of stakeholder meetings, the IRC has created a toolkit to help Indiana's local governments, businesses, non-profits, recyclers, and residents understand how to manage e-scrap properly. The toolkit is available for downloading. |
| View more information on this link |
Exploring the Environment Through Children's Literature: An Integrated Approach
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Non-fiction
AuthorsButzow, Carol M and John W. Butzow, illustrated by Rhett E.Kennedy ISBN1-56308-650-6 Fifteen chapters provide suggestions for literature use for topics that include air pollution, solid waste and recycling, effectos o... |
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Fast Facts about Waste Reduction
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Great links and documents as well as facts in 20 different categories. |
| View more information on this link |
Food Scrap Compost, Food Scrap Management
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Case Study - Fact sheet |
| Summary: While some excess food can be donated much will end up in landfills that could be composted. This site provides guidance on establishing a kitchen compost for food scrap management in a school. See how they recommend working with your waste hauler and local... |
| View more information on this link |
Games for Change (G4C)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: Games for Change (G4C) provides support, visibility and shared resources to organizations and individuals using digital games for social change. Includes several online games related to ecosystems and the environment. |
| View more information on this link |
Garbage
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: Garbage is a video available from A&E, a production from the History Channel. "Time was, folks just dumped garbage wherever they wanted--buried it in their backyards or threw it in the ocean. In the age of recycling and dwindling resources, these low-tech dis... |
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Garbage Day Video
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: "A father and son embark on a family adventure to find out where garbage goes. Your child will visit recycling centers and landfills and learn all about the grand and bedazzling machinery used to collect and process everyday trash. Garbage Day!, already a nati... |
| View more information on this link |
Garbage Monster, The
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Fiction
Author, Joni Sensel ISBN 09601195-2
Young Jo is asked to take out the garbage, but doesn't. "It can take itself out." But he soon comes face to face with a garbage monster in this cute, awareness raising book. Visit www.dreamf... |
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Garbage Wars The Struggle for Environmental Justice in Chicago
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Non-fiction
AuthorPellow, David Naguib ISBN0-262-66187-X This is a study of clonflicts over solid waste and pollution in urban, generally communities of color and low-income populations. The author is a sociologist conduction research on... |
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Get in the Zero Waste Holiday Spirit!
Go Back to School Green: Top Ten Waste Reduction and Recycling Tips
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - School Projects |
| Summary: Students, parents and teachers can all make a difference in reducing waste at school. By practicing the "3 Rs" of waste reduction -- reduce, reuse, and recycle -- you can all do your part. This is a list of potential activities and suggestions for all. |
| View more information on this link |
Go Green Initiative
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: The Go Green Initiative is a simple, comprehensive program designed to create a culture of environmental responsibility on school campuses across the nation. Founded in 2002, the Go Green Initiative unites parents, students, teachers and school administrators... |
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Got Your Driver's License?
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: Now that you have your driver's license, you have a big responsibility--not only for safely operating your car, but also for protecting the environment. This brochure is developed for teens to help them understand the need to recycle their used motor oil. |
| View more information on this link |
Great Green Gift Giving Guide, The
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - Fact sheet - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: Tips from environmental professionals for giving easy-on-the-planet presents that go way beyond the basics, ie send a kid to camp, adopt a manatee, or watch skunks by moonlight with a night spotting scope. |
| View more information on this link |
Great Trash Bash, The
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Fiction
Author,Loreen Leedy
ISBN0823416348
The Great Trash Bash is a simple eco-mystery for younger children. The story is based upon something being wrong in the town of Beaston. A Major and his colleagues investigate possible so... |
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Green Flag Program
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Case Study - Checklist |
| Summary: The Green Flag Program is a project of the Child Proofing our Communities Campaign coordinated by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. They offer a start up kit to help school communities learn about the program and its materials describe how to fo... |
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Green Halloween
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: This 2-page pdf provides suggestions for having an environmentally friendly Halloween. |
| View more information on this link |
Green Squad, Kids taking action for greener, healthier schools
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Games and Activities - Fact sheet - Language Options - Web site |
| Summary: An interactive tool for students that helps them understand their school their health and the environment and aids them in discovering what they might be able to do to improve the school environment.Interactive tools allow them to explore various rooms but the... |
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Greening Our Schools Earth Day Activities
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Holiday |
| Summary: Elementary Teachers can begin development of a year's worth of lessons that support the mission of Earth Day. Earth Day IS every day. This list of 20 will expand to include lessons appropriate for each topic and for elementary education. |
| View more information on this link |
Greening School Lesson Plan Format (PDF)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Lesson plans are beginning to appear in the Greening School's Resource list for teachers. Formal lessons will use this format. If you have lessons to submit that meet the greening principles, if they address chemistry, biology, geology, other sciences or art... |
| View more information on this link |
Greenscaping Your Lawn and Garden
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report |
| Summary: This 8-page booklet describes simple techniques for reducing the environmental impacts of landscaping on lawn and property by grasscycling, mulching, and composting. Properly managing yard waste not only enhances the environment, but saves money. These suggest... |
| View more information on this link |
Have a Green Halloween Says Environmental Defense
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Holiday |
| Summary: Suggestions for environmental choices and solutions over Halloween. |
| View more information on this link |
Have a Wonderful Waste Free Christmas
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Lessons - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: Suggestions are provided for How to have a waste-free Christmas. Simple suggestions are included for wrapping, entertaining, decorating and green gifts. They also offer a "Have a Wonderful Waste Free Christmas" teacher's package and brochure. |
| View more information on this link |
Holiday Waste Reduction Tips
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - School Projects |
| Summary: Waste reduction suggestions for all major holidays can be found at this site. These include Halloween, fall holidays, New Years and more. |
| View more information on this link |
How Come the Best Clues are Always in the Garbage
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Fiction, 176 pages
Author, Linda Bailey ISBN 1553375831 Gaudy throw-away plastic packages, environmental groups, over-packaging, fast food and a burglary combine in this mystery novel written for 9-12 year olds. Books listed in Greeni... |
| View more information on this link |
How much energy is consumed by outdoor display lighting.
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - Holiday - School Projects |
| Summary: What are the costs for outdoor lighting? This could be combined with lessons on energy efficiency and math. |
| View more information on this link |
IDEM Land Quality and Solid Waste Environmental Education Lesson Plans
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Glossary |
| Summary: These lessons provide teacher preparation, presenter preparations, lessons and activities, extensions, standards, glossary of solid waste management terms and additional resources. The lessons focus on providing solid waste and landfill information. Some le... |
| View more information on this link |
IDEM Recycling Environmental Education Lesson Plans
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Glossary |
| Summary: This lesson plan is appropriate for grades K-6 and is designed for Indiana standards, but easily modifiable for other state standards. Lessons provide teacher preparation, presenter preparation, lessons and activities, glossary of recycling terms and ways to... |
| View more information on this link |
Imagination Factory, The
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - List - Recycled Products - School Projects |
| Summary: This site combines arts and crafts and environmental education (and a lot of recycling/reusing). Lessons and activities are offered, and a list of suggested art uses (for items commonly placed into the waste stream) is provided. Each of these links to a proj... |
| View more information on this link |
It's Time to Open the Gifts!
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - Fact sheet - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: Before opening all those gaily wrapped packages, CIMB provides a few hints to get you through the mountains of ribbon, stuffing, and wrapping. |
| View more information on this link |
Journey to Forever
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: Journey to Forever is a pioneering expedition by a small mobile NGO involved in environment and rural development work, starting from Hong Kong and travelling 40,000 km through 26 countries in Asia and Africa to Cape Town, South Africa. Available in Spanish,... |
| View more information on this link |
Just a Dream
Laptop Lunches: Tools to Eat Smart
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Their mission is to provide suggestions for creating fun, practical food containers and user guides that promote better nutrition and waste reduction. Their website provides newsletters with valuable information, recipes, community projects (from around the c... |
| View more information on this link |
Life Cycle of a Cell Phone, The
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Language Options |
| Summary: View the life cycle of a cell phone -- from obtaining raw materials through manufacture, packaging, distribution, useful life, and disposal. Learn what life cycle management is and why it is important. Find suggestions of ways to reuse or recycle your phone an... |
| View more information on this link |
Life Cycle of Everyday Stuff (The)
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Non-fiction, classroom activities
AuthorsMike Reeske, Shirley Ireton
ISBN0873551877
Seven units allow teachers opportunities to creatively transform common items such as aphone, into a study of energy flow and scarce resources. Stude... |
| View more information on this link |
Look at a Landfill
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3. Students wil identify landfills as the most common method of disposing solid waste; describe the form and function of a sanitary landfill by observing a model; understand that waste does not "go away" or decompose when... |
| View more information on this link |
Lunchroom Trash
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3 and can be used in social science, math and English. Students will take a first-hand look at excess packaging and determine ways to reduce waste. |
| View more information on this link |
Make a Difference in Your School
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Materials - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: This is a 34-page PDF, a how-to guide for engaging students in resource conservation and waste reduction. This guide was developed to provide advice, ideas, and inspiration to teachers, school administrators and others for planning a hands-on environmental day... |
| View more information on this link |
Make Your Holiday a Wild One!
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Holiday - School Projects |
| Summary: Gife gifts that don't require wrapping, you don't have to drive to pick up, and that can benefit conservation efforts. |
| View more information on this link |
Make Your Moms Proud
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Holiday |
| Summary: If you love your mothers and you love the planet, use this list of suggestions for some ideas. |
| View more information on this link |
Make-Stuff
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - Holiday - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Gift ideas, decorating suggestions, food and food gifts are some of the many suggestions found at this Website. Be aware that this site does have a lot of pop ups if that is a concern but the volume is worth that minor inconvenience. |
| View more information on this link |
Making a Model Landfill
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Students will construct a model of a landfill and analyze the most effecti design, identify the way in which a landfill is different than a natural cycle, identify the pros and cons of landfill disposal and alternative forms of disposal and practice map readin... |
| View more information on this link |
Maryland Department of the Environment Land Programs
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Database - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: To protect human health and preserve and restore land and water resources, MDE implements various programs ensuring the control and proper disposal of waste, managing lead paint compliance activities, assuring that oil is handled in an environmentally safe man... |
| View more information on this link |
Mercury in Schools and Communities
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - Checklist - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: NEWMOA provides a list of fact sheets, case studies, administrator and teacher information, list of mercury devices frequently found in science labs, and mercury-exchange suggestions. |
| View more information on this link |
Milestones in Garbage
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: This site provides "a historical timeline of municipal solid waste management," starting with 500 B.C., when "the city of Athens organizes the first municipal dump in the Western world," through 2002. Most entries concern the United States. Includes links to r... |
| View more information on this link |
Municipal Solid Waste Composting; Potential Effects of Heavy Metals in Municipal Solid Waste Composts on Plants and the Environment
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: This is one of 7 fact sheets provided on MSW composting. While considerable attention has been paid to the land application of sewage sludges and composted sewage sludges in the U.S. during the last twenty years, land application of municipal solid waste (MSW)... |
| View more information on this link |
Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1995-2000 Facts and Figures
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Manual/Handbook - Web site |
| Summary: These reports reports provide all of the publications 1995 through 2000 in a series of publications describing the national waste stream based on data collected. The historical perspective provided by the data is useful for establishing trends in types of muni... |
| View more information on this link |
Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 2001 Facts and Figures
| Type: Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: This report is the latest publication in a series of publications describing the national waste stream based on data collected from 1960 through 2001. The historical perspective provided by the data is useful for establishing trends in types of municipal solid... |
| View more information on this link |
Nanotech Facts
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Fact sheet - Research - Web site |
| Summary: The goals of Nanotechnology Initiative are to 1. Maintain a world-class research and development program aimed at realizing the full potential of nanotechnology; 2. Facilitate transfer of new technologies into products for economic growth, jobs, and other publ... |
| View more information on this link |
NAPCOR
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Recycled Products - Web site |
| Summary: NAPCOR's mission is to facilitate PET plastic recycling and promote the usage of PET packaging. The number of new PET plastic containers on the market is increasing every year and so is the number of communities across America that are recycling PET bottles in... |
| View more information on this link |
National Plastics Center
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet |
| Summary: The National Plastics Center is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the past, addressing the present and promoting the future of plastics through public education and awareness. The educational staff has supported this mission throughout the years... |
| View more information on this link |
Needs and Wants (Grades 4-5)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5. Students will recognize the impace of humans on natural systems; make predictions about the impace of certain behaviors and how personal or cultural perspectives affect these behaviors; assess factors that affect consum... |
| View more information on this link |
Needs and Wants (Grades K-3)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3 and can be used in Social Science and English. Students will be able to discriminate between wants and needs, quantiy and quality, necessities and luxuries; evaluate their own motives for buying things; think about the l... |
| View more information on this link |
Now You See it, Now You Don't
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5 and can be used for both science and math with english extensions. Students will classify organic and inorganic objects, perform a mini-compost experiment, record observations, compare and contrast decomposition rates for... |
| View more information on this link |
No-Waste Gift-Giving and Gift-Wrapping Ideas
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: A few creative and easy-to-do ideas and suggestions are offered. |
| View more information on this link |
No-waste Holiday
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Fact sheet - Holiday - List - Web site |
| Summary: If you're reading this, the "holiday season" has begun. Time to share with family and friends often becomes lots of time shopping, parties and gatherings, food preparation—and stress. Are you feeling "holidazed"? Do you find yourself wondering how the season p... |
| View more information on this link |
No-Waste Holiday Ideas
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Holiday - List - Web site |
| Summary: Holiday tree options, gift wrapping, giving, decorating, and entertaining green tips are provided. Some unusual suggestions are included in these lists that would be simple to implement this holiday season. |
| View more information on this link |
Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance (Indiana)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Database - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Browse by topics or search through specific categories incuding Indiana grants and awards, community efforts, recycling projects, and publications and forms. Links to the Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts Environmental Educators and a Kids page are pro... |
| View more information on this link |
Old Nassau Demonstration (using mercury)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Experiment - Holiday |
| Summary: This experiment provides instructions for the Halloween Demonstration, or "Old Nassau" Demonstration that uses Mercury. The preferred and refined version that uses silver nitrate is provided at http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2004/Oct/PlusSub/V81N... |
| View more information on this link |
Old Nassau Demonstration (using mercury)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Experiment - Holiday |
| Summary: This experiment provides instructions for the Halloween Demonstration, or "Old Nassau" Demonstration that uses Mercury. The preferred and refined version that uses silver nitrate is provided at http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2004/Oct/PlusSub/V81N... |
| View more information on this link |
Old Nassau Demonstration with Wilkinson Modification (no mercury)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Experiment - Holiday |
| Summary: The Old Nassau Demonstration (also referred to as the Halloween Demonstration) is a clock-type reaction that dramatically turns orange,then black. This popular reaction is not allowed in many schools using mercury, however, the Wilkinson Modification offers a... |
| View more information on this link |
Old Nassau Demonstration with Wilkinson Modification (no mercury)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Experiment - Holiday |
| Summary: The Old Nassau Demonstration (also referred to as the Halloween Demonstration) is a clock-type reaction that dramatically turns orange,then black. This popular reaction is not allowed in many schools using mercury, however, the Wilkinson Modification offers a... |
| View more information on this link |
P2 Tips for Reducing Holiday Waste
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Fact sheet - Holiday - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: This site offers a few suggestions and several links, including a link to the St Judes Ranch Recycled Card Project. This could become a student-led school-wide project. |
| View more information on this link |
Plastic Polymers
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Lessons - Experiment |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5. Students will conduct a series of tests to determine the properties of different types of plastics, audit the plastic waste generated in their homes, understand the positive and negative impacts of using plastic, the ba... |
| View more information on this link |
Plastics 101
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Glossary - Web site |
| Summary: Use this portal to learn more about plastic, plastic recycling and disposal, recycled products and markets, and basics about plastics. |
| View more information on this link |
Product Life Cycle Analysis
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Using a tennis shoe, students will have an opportunity to become aware that the products they buy have an impact on the environment beyond that of the disposal of the waste. |
| View more information on this link |
Put Waste Reduction at the Top of Your Shopping List
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist |
| Summary: What a delightful phrase, "I think I'll buy some garbage today." The Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance provides tips for reducing waste in school and at lunch. |
| View more information on this link |
Quest for Less Glossary
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Glossary |
| Summary: This non-technical solid waste glossary is available as a 448 KB/10 page PDF. |
| View more information on this link |
Quest for Less: Activities and Resources for Teaching K-6
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Download the complete document (10 MB) or individual chapters. The Quest for Less units include Product Life Cycles, Methods of Handling Waste, Putting it All Together and a glossary. |
| View more information on this link |
Recycle A Handbook for Kids
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - School Projects |
| Summary: Non-fiction, lesson and activity book.
AuthorsGibbons, Gail
ISBN031530943-5 Recycle explains the process of recycling from start to finish and discusses what happens to paper, glass, aluminim cans and plastic when they are recycled in... |
| View more information on this link |
Recycled Christmas Tree
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: Instruction on how to make disposable and environmentally free ornaments are provided. |
| View more information on this link |
Recycled Holiday Crafts, Watching Your Waste at the Holidays
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Holiday - Recycled Products - Web site |
| Summary: Crafts, crafts and more crafts abound along with explanations on recycling metal, plastic and glass. Some very different suggestions for projects include "Christmas Card Balls" |
| View more information on this link |
Recycling and Measurement
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: This offers links that allow access to a number of recycling measurement documents as well as worksheets, survey forms, conversion factors and more. |
| View more information on this link |
Recycling by Composting
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Glossary |
| Summary: What's Up in the Environment projects are intended primarily for middle school students, but can be modified. They begin with an extensive description of the project’s objectives, standards, time and materials needed, computer requirements, and lists of on-lin... |
| View more information on this link |
Recycling Lesson Plans/Recycling Thematic Units/Recycling Activities
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Web site |
| Summary: Lessons, printouts, clip art, crafts, books, and internet resources are all recommended at this site. Activities range from K-12, they include science, math, social studies and reading. The site has a commercial source for publications as well as a providing... |
| View more information on this link |
Recycling, A True Book
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Non-fiction, lesson and activity book.
AuthorDonald, Rhonda Lucas ISBN0-516-27356-6 Recycle explains the process of recycling, the three Rs (even though we now consider more), composting, discussion of what can and cannot be dumped, and... |
| View more information on this link |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Rejoice
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Fact sheet - Holiday |
| Summary: Is it possible to reduce waste during the "giving" season of the year? Tips and techniques for both celebrating and giving green during the November and December holiday season. These tips are complemented by additional links for those who want to know more. |
| View more information on this link |
Research and Educational Laboratory Waste Reduction
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: This fact sheet addresses waste reduction in research and educational laboratories. Included are examples of better operating/management practices and procedural or institutional policies that result in waste reduction. (PDF format; Length: 6 pages) |
| View more information on this link |
Rethink the School Year
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Greening Schools offers suggestions to teachers who are interested in reducing waste at the start of the school year and continuing throughout the year. This is a list of recommended websites and several activities. |
| View more information on this link |
Rethinking School Lunch
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - School Projects |
| Summary: The RSL guide provides tools and creative solutions to the challenges of improving school lunch programs, student performance, and the well-being of our children. Drawing from first-hand experience, each of the 10 chapters highlights goals and challenges, show... |
| View more information on this link |
Reuse + Recycling = Waste Reduction A Guide for Schools & Groups
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Case Study - Manual/Handbook - School Projects |
| Summary: "Organized groups have a tremendous opportunity to operate waste reduction programs. School-related groups might include science classes, environmental clubs and parent-teacher organizations. Other groups might include Girl and Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club... |
| View more information on this link |
Saving Energy
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Summary: Grade appropriate fact sheet on saving energy.All NEED Curriculum Correlations to the National Science Education Standards for all grade levels. NEED has also correlated our materials to many State Education Standards. |
| View more information on this link |
Saving the Earth's Resources: Hands-on Projects About
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - School Projects |
| Summary: Non-fiction, lesson and activity book
AuthorsWest, Krista
ISBN0-8239-5847-7 Projects focus on conservation of natural resources and several are designed for independent work, some are for a child and adult, and some could be student-bas... |
| View more information on this link |
School Waste Diversion Programs in Other States
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Summary: A variety of states around the country have implemented specific laws that facilitate the diversion of school waste from disposal through waste prevention, recycling, and composting. The California IWMB identifies most of these states, describes their programs... |
| View more information on this link |
School Waste Reduction
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - List - Web site |
| Summary: Overview and guidelines for reducing school waste, regardless of your responsibiity: school district administrator, recycling conscious teacher or students, or city/county recycling coordinator. These apply to California, but can be examples for other regions.... |
| View more information on this link |
Schools and Waste
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: This two-page fact sheet offers suggestions for reducing waste in schools that includes the cafeteria. |
| View more information on this link |
Science Fair Fun
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Science Fair Projects |
| Summary: This booklet is intended to provide students in gardes 6-8 with ideas and resrouces for developing environmental science fair projects, specifically in the areas of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste materials. Environmental terminology and topics in this... |
| View more information on this link |
Setting up a School Recycling and Waste Reduction Program
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - Checklist - List - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: An outline for establishing a school recycling program at school provides steps, educating the students, conducting waste audits, developing compost and more. Use their side bar and explore the various suggestions and examples. |
| View more information on this link |
So Many Cookies...So Much Packaging
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Designed for K-3 to help children understand that when they buy something, they also buy the packaging. Packaging has many important purposes, such as safety, marketing, protecting and transporting the product. This lesson will allow comparision of the differe... |
| View more information on this link |
Solid Waste Publications (US EPA) in Spanish
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - List - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Posters, documents, education resources on solid waste in English and Spanish. |
| View more information on this link |
Space Garbage
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Fiction
Author, Asimov ASIN 1555323707 A "futuristic book that examines potential causes, dangers and efforts to clean up space debris. Books listed in Greening Schools BiblioResources have been recommended as valuable tools in the t... |
| View more information on this link |
SWANCC
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Recycled Products - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: SWANCC provides programs, educational resources, household hazardous waste recycling information on their website. This is information directly applicable to residents of Northern Cook County, but also valuable as an information resource for other parts on Il... |
| View more information on this link |
Talking Trash Solid Wastes
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Experiment |
| Summary: Using the principles of Green Chemistry, this experiment analyzes the trends in the generation and reclamation of solid wastes within the United States over time and it evaluates reasons for making wastes.
|
| View more information on this link |
Teaching Plastics in the Classroom
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - Glossary |
| Summary: Teaching about plastics is an online scientific investigation resource for teachers, parents and students and it includes a site for elementary school teachers and a site for middle school teachers. |
| View more information on this link |
The Story of Stuff: How our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: NonFiction
Authors, Annie Leonard
ISBN 978143912566-3 March 2010
Author Annie Leonard presents a startling clear message, that we have too much Stuff, and too much of it is toxic. She outlines five stages of our consumption-driven e... |
| View more information on this link |
There is No Away (Grades 4-5)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Designed for grades 4-5, this lesson will help students recognize that there is no "away" in "throw it away"; identify the destination of the waste they generate at home and at school; identify the negative aspects of dumping or burning trash; learn the "solid... |
| View more information on this link |
This Halloween, think green Ten tipcs for an earth-friendly holiday
Throwaway Three (skit)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities |
| Summary: This is a collection of plays that are often used for enriching pollution prevention and waste reduction lessons. Throwaway Three is a classic skit found in many locations but was originally developed by the Atlanta Clean City Commission. |
| View more information on this link |
Tips for a Cleaner, Greener Holiday
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Holiday - List - Web site |
| Summary: Celebrate a clean environment along with the holidays and manage your garbage and waste through careful selection of materials for gifts, entertaining and decorating. |
| View more information on this link |
Too Much Trash
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author,Faye Robinson ISBN 0516060422 This book explores landfills and waste management concerns. Books listed in Greening Schools BiblioResources have been recommended as valuable tools in the teaching of the associated c... |
| View more information on this link |
Tools for Zero Waste Schools (K-12)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Links for kids and for teachers on zero waste projects include waste reduction, composting, vermi-composting, special topics, pollution prevention and songs. |
| View more information on this link |
Tools for Zero Waste Schools (K-12)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - Fact sheet - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Two sections accomodate the different interests and needs. One is for teachers and the other is for kids. National and international links allow students opportunities to see what is being done for kids and by kids at other schools and in other communities.... |
| View more information on this link |
Tools for Zero Waste Schools (K-12)
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Links for kids and for teachers on zero waste projects include waste reduction, composting, vermi-composting, special topics, pollution prevention and songs. |
| View more information on this link |
Tools for Zero Waste Schools (K-12)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - Fact sheet - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Two sections accomodate the different interests and needs. One is for teachers and the other is for kids. National and international links allow students opportunities to see what is being done for kids and by kids at other schools and in other communities.... |
| View more information on this link |
Top 10 Ways to Reduce Waste While Back-to-School Shopping
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Checklist |
| Summary: Teachers can reflect upon these suggestions when making up the list of materials students need for the upcoming school year. |
| View more information on this link |
Tox Town
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Database - Language Options - Web site |
| Summary: Tox Town is an interactive game that provides suggestions as to where toxic chemicals can be found in our daily lives, non-technical descriptions of chemicals, links and other resources. Tox Town uses color, graphics and creative ways in which middle school a... |
| View more information on this link |
Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Holiday |
| Summary: Non-fiction
Author, Robinson, Jo and Jean C. Staeheli ISBN 0688109616
The authors talk about techniques for celebrating Christmas without all of the stress. This book is in its 13th printing (as of November 2004). Books listed in Gr... |
| View more information on this link |
Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Recycled Products |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author,Robert Lilienfeld AIN 449001687 The authors campaign to change consumer habits. Recycling is a good thing, but preventing the potential entry of products into the waste stream is far more desirable. Using less stuff... |
| View more information on this link |
Vermicomposting
| Grade Level: Elementary - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Instruction on vermicomposting in the classroom, at home, and as an academic exercise are provided. Resources include fact sheets on the role of worms, worm and worm bin supply sources, classroom worm composting and an animated interactive game (The Adventure... |
| View more information on this link |
Vermicomposting (Making Good use of Garbage!)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet - Language Options - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours - Web site |
| Summary: Vermicomposting fun facts, information, activities, music (including The Littlest Worm), and reasons to consider vermicomposting. |
| View more information on this link |
Waste Disposal (Earth Watch)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author, Sally Morgan ISBN 0531145573 Examines the different kinds of waste, from household trash to industrial waste, describing where it goes and how it affects the environment Books listed in Greening Schools BiblioRes... |
| View more information on this link |
Waste Prevention in Gift Wrapping 10 Simple Ideas
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Holiday - List - Web site |
| Summary: Breaking the "gift-wrap" habit isn't easy, but it can be done with some of these suggestions. |
| View more information on this link |
Waste Prevention Terms
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Glossary |
| Summary: Postconsumer Content, Postmanufacture Content, Precycling, etc. Perhaps some clarification might help. Non-technical definitions of common waste prevention terms are provided. |
| View more information on this link |
Waste Reduction at School
| Type: Case Study - Classroom Games and Activities - School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: Young people are learning more and more about the importance of protecting our natural environment and resources. Many of them are working with teachers and administrative staff to implement environmental programs in their schools. In addition to the knowled... |
| View more information on this link |
Waste Reduction Education
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - Classroom Games and Activities - School Projects |
| Summary: Simple reduction and reuse ideas pay off for schools and can actually provide economic incentives. This site includes a list of activities and success stories. |
| View more information on this link |
Waste Statistics
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: Statistics are provided for Waste, Steel Cans, Yard Waste,HDPE Bottles and Containers, Corrugated Boxes, PET, Newspapers, and Aluminum. |
| View more information on this link |
Waste-Free Christmas Green Holiday
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Games and Activities - Fact sheet - Holiday - Web site |
| Summary: This 42-page PDF provides conservation reasons behind some of the concerns and it offers suggestions for activities to replace traditional habits (entertaining,decorating (The Edible Tree), gift-giving, and wrapping. |
| View more information on this link |
Waste-free Lunch Programs
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - School Projects - Workshops |
| Summary: This is a "how-to" site for developing a waste-free lunch program at a school. The program was created as a grassroots efforts by some concerned parents. Their waste-free lunch program started when a group of parents noticed how much trash the students were g... |
| View more information on this link |
What Can I Do? An Alphabet for Living
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Author, Lisa Harrow ISBN 1-931498-66-0 What Can I Do? An Alphabet for Living is a directory for the who's doing what in sustainability education and action around the country. This is a simple guide for learning what in... |
| View more information on this link |
What Color Is Your Waste
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Experiment |
| Summary: This lesson examines the principles of Green Chemistry through an activity on accessing commonly used and environmentally packaging.This activity can be used as a demonstration for middle school students or as a lab exercise for high school students. It can a... |
| View more information on this link |
What is Trash
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: In 1999, Oregon disposed of 2.8 million tons of garbage. (See “Where
Is Away?” Background for more details about solid and hazardous waste
disposal). The terms “waste” and “resource” are relative and reflect our
own needs and values rather than any objectiv... |
| View more information on this link |
What Kids Really Want that Money Can't Buy
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Holiday - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Non-fiction
Author, Taylor, Betsy and Center for a New American Dream ISBN 0446529648
This practical book explores children's needs and recommends ways to parent in commercial worlds. Appropriate chapters include More Fun and Less Stu... |
| View more information on this link |
What's On Your Pizza? (The Garbage Pizza)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Check out the garbage pizza. This poster comes complete with lessons on the back. It is a downloadable PDF. |
| View more information on this link |
Where Do Things Come From
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This is a second grade project that helps students learn about the sources of products such as glass, aluminum, steel cans, paper, plastic and more and helps students learn how these materials can be recycled. |
| View more information on this link |
Where Does the Garbage Go?
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Non-fiction,
AuthorsShowers, Paul (illustrated by Randy Chewning)
ISBN006445114-3 (pbk)
Where Does the Garbage Go explains how people create too much waste and how some waste is now recycled and not always put into landfills.
T... |
| View more information on this link |
Where is Away?
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades K-3. Students will recognize that there is no "away" in "throw it away", identify the destination of the waste they generate at home and at school, identify the negative aspects of dumping or burning trash, and learn the "so... |
| View more information on this link |
Where the Garbage Goes
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: Where the Garbage Goes is a video that allows the reader to "jump into the driver's seat of the haulers, grinders, dozers, loaders and compactors used at a state-of-the-art waste handling facility. Kids and grown-ups alike will become excited about recycling w... |
| View more information on this link |
Where the Sidewalk Ends
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) |
| Summary: Fiction
Author, Shel Silverstein ISBN 0060256672 Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout will not take the gargage out is only one of many excellent poems that can be used to teach many topics including waste management.One example, Where is Away, ca... |
| View more information on this link |
Worm Bin Creatures Alive Through a Microscope
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: Worm Bin Creatures Alive Through a Microscope provides a captivating look at rarely seen (close-up) organisms of the compost and worm bins. The video is 31 minutes and cost is $25 (July 2004). |
| View more information on this link |
Worm Guide: A Vermicomposting Guide for Teachers (The)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: This guide provides teachers with information on how to start and maintain a successful classroom worm bin. Includes the basics of vermicomposting, worm bin building plans, troubleshooting and fundraising tips, classroom activities, and useful case studies of... |
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Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up & Maintain a Worm Composting System
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: NonFiction (Lesson, Text)
Author Mary Appelhof
ISBN 0942256107
This has been long considered the definitive guide to vermicomposting by Mary Appelhoff). Authors Mary Appelhof. Topics include how to set up bins, what kinds of wo... |
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Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: NonFiction
Authors Mary Appelhof, Mary Frances Fenton and Barbara Loss Harris ISBN 0-942256-05-0This classroom activity book complements "Worms Eat My Garbage" (the definitive guide to vermicomposting by Mary Appelhoff).
Books lis... |
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Youth Education List of Resources
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Web site |
| Summary: Topic Hubs are detailed collections of resources and contact information for specific topics or industrial sectors. In this case, the topic is Youth Education. Topic Hubs include narrative sections providing background information, operations involved (if the... |
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Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES)
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: School Projects - Web site |
| Summary: YES! is a non-profit organization that connects, inspires and empowers young changemakers to join forces for a thriving, just, and sustainable way of life for all. Founded in 1990 by 16-year-old Ocean Robbins and 19-year-old Ryan Eliason, at a time when Nancy... |
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Help Desk Questions
| Who is responsible for the pollution, the kids or the teachers? |
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View Answer |
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Pollution is a complex topic. The simple answer is everyone is responsible.
Teachers have a responsibility to help students understand the science and societal issues of pollution. Students have a responsibility to become wise stewards. You also have a responsibility to listen and learn when taught and to consider what you are learning in school. Students also have a responsibility to keep your surroundings clean and pick up or remove pollution when possible. However, as you probably know, pollution is more than tossing litter on the street. When Woodsy Owl says "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute" the message is clear. Accept personal responsibility and care for your surroundings. You need to reduce your waste, recycle what can be recycled, encourage buying of recycled products, and rethink wasteful purchases. Still pollution goes beyond all of this to industry, travel, shopping, entertainment, landscaping and simple activities like changing the oil in cars. Consider what you throw away and dispose of improperly. Consider what you buy and how it's packaged. Rethink your purchases. Everything you purchase was created using resources from somewhere else. Energy was used in making the item, as well as transporting it. When you're done with it chances are good that it will go into the trash unless you try to recycle the item. Someone else will need to deal with the waste, and someday when you're working that will be part of your tax burden.
Everyone has a responsibility to elect leaders who vote for pollution prevention and waste management legislation. Everyone is responsible for pollution because it always begins with the individual. As we approach Earth Day we each need to remember that the day is symbolic and that the true meaning is that Earth Day is everyday.
When was the last time you picked up some trash blowing around outside that you didn't drop? When was the last time you walked, rode your bike or took the bus rather than had someone drive you to school, shopping or friends' houses?
Pollution is driven by lack of care for the environment and a lack of knowledge about causes. You can't blame the teacher if the student doesn't listen and practice. You can blame the teacher if the teacher is wasteful, but you can't blame the teacher if you also are wasteful. Think honestly about your daily habits and waste. Encourage your friends to do the same. You will be inheriting the world and in many ways it's going to be what you make of it.
If this hasn't answered your question, I can recommend some additional sources. The California Integrated Waste Management Board can provide you with some excellent advice for southern California. A second source of valuable information on pollution prevention and managing waste is the US EPA teen web site. |
| I've been asked to develop a fact sheet discussing the pros and cons of using polystyrene for things such as beverage or food containment. I'm looking for research based information on the environmental and economic aspects of polystyrene use. |
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View Answer |
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As an authoritative source for questions like this, I highly recommend the book The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, which you should be able to obtain through your local library. There is a discussion of styrofoam (polystyrene) on p. 16. For more information about the book, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/060980281X/ref=sib_rdr_dp/104-0579898-7891101.
Some web resources of interest include:
Polystyrene and the Environment (Polystyrene Packaging Council)
http://www.polystyrene.org/environment/environment.html
Expanded Polystyrene (Australia)
http://www.pacia.org.au/Environment/environment7.html
Arguments Against Polystyrene Foam Products
http://www.verdant.net/nofoam.htm
Some more scientifically oriented papers include:
Endocrinically Active Chemicals in the Environment
http://www.epa.gov/endocrine/Pubs/uba3_96.pdf
Plastic Pellets in the Environment: Sources and Recommendations
http://www.epa.gov/owow/OCPD/PLASTIC/plasticpellets.pdf
Technical Factsheet on Styrene
http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/dwh/t-voc/styrene.html
Some journal articles of relevance include the following. You should be able to obtain copies of these through your local library:
Zabaniotou, A; Kassidi, E. (2003) "Life cycle assessment applied to egg packaging made from polystyrene and recycled paper." Journal of Cleaner Production 11(5), 549-559.
Abstract: In the present study, the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) for the comparison of two egg packages, from polystyrene and recycled paper, is presented. The input and output streams of mass and energy are examined and the environmental impacts associated with the two systems are analyzed. The application of LCA by using EcoIndicator 95 has made possible the comparison of the environmental impacts of two egg packages. The results of this LCA study are discussed and reveal that the PS packages contribute more to acidification potential, winter and summer smog, while recycled paper egg packages contribute more to heavy metal and carcinogenic substances impact. Nevertheless, it seems that paper eggcups have less environmental impact than the polystyrene ones with the assumption that the accuracy of the results is confined by the credibility of European databases used for primary data.
Ohno, K; Azuma, Y; Nakano, S; Kobayashi, T; Hirano, S; Nobuhara,Y ; Yamada, T. (2001) "Assessment of styrene oligomers eluted from polystyrene-made food containers for estrogenic effects in in vitro assays." Food and Chemical Toxicology 39(12), 1233-1241.
Abstract: Recently, several substances from among the huge numbers of chemicals used by mankind have been implicated as instigators of disrupted endocrine function and related human health problems. Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most frequently used resins in the world, and the styrene oligomer dissolved out from PS has been designated as a potential trigger of estrogen-like activity in the Wingspread Declaration and the Japan Environment Agency's SPEED98 [JEA (Japan Environment Agency) Strategic Problem on Environmental Endocrine Disruptors '98 (SPEED) '98), http://www.env.go.jp/en/pol/speed98/sp98.html]. In order to assess the endocrine disrupting effect of styrene oligomers, we tested
one styrene monomer (SM), three styrene dimers (SDs) and seven styrene trimers (STs), newly isolated from optical isomers, known to dissolve in small amounts from cup noodle containers made of polystyrene by the estrogen receptor binding assay, luciferase reporter gene assay, and human breast cancer cell MCF-7 proliferation assay. In all three tests, none of the SM, SDs and STs showed any significant activity. Accordingly, we concluded that these substances have no estrogenic activity.
Prinsen, MK; Gouko, Nobuaki (2001). "Determination of the Oestrogenic (Uterotrophic) Activity of Extracts of 'General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS)' using Immature Female Rats." Journal of Applied Toxicology 21(3), 235-239.
Abstract: In Japan there is growing concern about the possible adverse effects of consumption of food from styrene containers (mainlythose made from polystyrene paper) due to the alleged oestrogenic activity of styrene oligomers (dimers and trimers), which may migrate into the food. To examine the possible oestrogenic activity of styrene dimers and trimers, extracts were made from 'general purpose polystyrene (GPPS)' and administered orally to immature female rats over a 4 day period. Increase of uterus weight (wet and blotted) was used for assessment of possible oestrogenic activity. To establish the sensitivity of the test method, immature rats were treated with diethylstilboestrol (DES), a well-known oestrogenic compound. It was found that treatment of rats with levels of up to 60 mu g of styrene dimers and 930 mu g of styrene trimers per kilogram body weight per day did not give any statistically significant increase of the uterus weight (wet or blotted), whereas DES caused statistically significant, dose-related increases in uterus weight at levels as low as 0.89 mu g kg super(-1) body weight day super(-1). It was concluded that, compared with the estimated maximum human daily intake of styrene trimers of 1 mu g kg super(-1) body weight day super(-1) from polystyrene food containers, the risk of adverse human health effects with respect to oestrogenicity may be considered negligible. |
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