KS3 Materials on Waste - Recycling Consortium · Web viewActivity 7: Word search and cracking the code This activity is self-explanatory! Activity 8: Maximising participation Working

KS3 Materials on Waste: Teachers’ Notes

These materials, focusing specifically on waste issues, are intended for use during Y8 PSHE sessions. They are based on the environmental values statement in the PSHE curriculum document. The activities can be done in any order, although activity 1 is a good staring point to clarify

vocabulary.

For information relating to reuse/composting/recycling facilities in your area please contact your local council. Many have very informative websites that can be accessed via www.reuze.co.uk

Other useful websites include www.recyclingconsortium.org.uk www.wastewatch.org.uk

Activity 1: What do the words mean?Understanding the terms in activity 1 will help with further activities.

Activity 2: Dealing with rubbishIn small groups pupils discuss the 14 phrases and decide whether each is a personal or governmental action. Some could potentially be both – e.g., ‘Reduce the amount of packaging around things’ could be achieved by government legislation and/or public pressure on retailers. They then rank the actions in both categories in order of priority when pursuing sustainability. Finally, pupils try to influence the opinions of others. They either write to their MP about their top priority for governmental action (see www.locata.co.uk/commons/ to find local MPs) or design a leaflet to promote their number 1 individual action.

It is possible that pupils will suggest other personal or governmental actions. For example imposing a tax on carrier bags, collecting rubbish less frequently, avoiding buying disposable items (cameras, plates, nappies etc.)

Activity 3: What does it really cost?Pupils decide which part of the production process each statement belongs to. They then consider which describe a local or global influence. Finally, they decide what is the best approach to take regarding the use of aluminium drinks can, in terms of environmental effects.

Some extra facts to contribute: It takes 4 tonnes of bauxite to make one tonne of aluminium Mining and transporting both the bauxite and aluminium uses large

amounts of energy The energy it takes to make one new aluminium can is enough to

make 20 recycled ones

Activity 4: Are you a rotter?Pupils read the text about composting and complete a crossword puzzle.

www.recyclingconsortium.org.uk

The Recycling Consortium

Activity 5: Why should we care about rubbish?Pupils use the fact sheets and any further information sources available to them (e.g., leaflets, websites) to plan and write an informed report of why we should care about rubbish.

Activity 6: What should go where?Pupils will need information about local facilities to be able to complete this activity. The local authority should be able to provide you with leaflets about local recycling facilities, furniture reuse schemes etc. Alternatively see www.reuze.co.uk.

Activity 7: Word search and cracking the codeThis activity is self-explanatory!

Activity 8: Maximising participationWorking in groups or as a class, pupils brainstorm how people in the local area can be encouraged to recycle. To find out your local authority’s recycling rates see www.defra.gov.uk and follow the links to the Waste Statistics. Then pupils think of ways in which reducing, reusing and recycling can be promoted amongst pupils and staff in the school. (Pupils who are interested in the international comparisons can find more information at www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/20020422000116.html)

Activity 9: Designing a leaflet or poster Pupils design a leaflet/poster to promote recycling and/or composting in the local area. They will need information about local recycling facilities, preferably in leaflet/poster form. Other leaflets/posters will also be useful for considering design points.

Activity 10: How much do you waste?Pupils keep a record of the waste they create over the course of a week and what they do with it. They later consider what they should have done with it, and finally describe themselves in terms of how wasteful (or otherwise!) they are. The diary could be kept at the beginning of work on waste and revisited at the end of the unit for pupils to reflect upon in the light of what they have learned.

These materials are copyright.They can be reproduced for education purposes but not for sale.

The Recycling Consortium, The CREATE Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol BS1 6XN

Tel 0117 930 4355, fax 0117 929 7283 Please send any queries / feedback to: [email protected]


We have a range of resources to buy, and commissions for writing resources would be welcomed.


Fact sheet 125% of all cans produced each year in the UK are made from aluminium. That’s a total of 4.25 billion!It takes the same amount of energy to make 20 recycled aluminium cans as it does to make one brand new one.Recycling aluminium produces 95% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than producing it from raw materials.Every year 13 billion steel cans are produced in the UK, but only 2 billion (about 15%) of these are recycled after use.

Up to 25% of every new steel can is made from recycled steel, and steel can be recycled over and over and over again!

Producing steel from recycled material saves 75% of the energy needed to manufacture it from raw materials.

The average UK family uses 6 trees’ worth of paper each year.33% of the average household rubbish bin is filled with paper.Recycling paper saves up to 70% the energy used in manufacturing from raw materials and requires 40% less water.On average, each person in the UK uses 110 glass bottles and jars per year. Only 27% (about 30) of these are recycled.Glass bottles can be reused if they are strong enough to survive collection, cleaning and refilling. Milk bottles can be reused up to 25 times.Glass can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of quality. Recycling just one bottle saves enough energy to power a TV for up to an hour and a half!Plastic is made from oil, a non-renewable resource made from dead plants and animals over millions of years. Current estimates predict that the world’s oil reserves will run out in about 50 years.At the moment plastic bottle recycling facilities are not widely available in the UK. Reducing the number of bottles we use, and reusing them whenever possible, are better options.Much of the packaging on food we buy is made from plastic. If we shop carefully and buy products with less packaging we can reduce the amount of rubbish we put in our bins.


Fact sheet 2

Recycling reduces the need for

continual exploitation of scarce natural

resources.

If councils are faced with the problem of having to deal with

ever increasing amounts of rubbish, they may feel that it

necessary to build incinerators, which can cause more

8 million disposable nappies are dumped in landfill sites in the UK every day.

Advantages DisadvantagesLandfillLandfill

It is relatively cheap and easy at the moment, although getting more expensive.

When ‘green waste’ rots down it produces a very dangerous greenhouse gas called methane.

Some of the gas produced in landfill sites can be used as energy.

As water seeps through the waste serious pollution (known as leachate) can be spread into the land and water nearby.

Landfill sites are usually existing holes in the ground from quarrying.

Landfill sites fill up! More and more will be needed in the future, but where are we going to put them?

IncinerationIncinerationIt gets rid of lots of rubbish very quickly.

The ash created needs to be buried, and can be polluting.


The key to a sustainable approach

to waste is to remember the 3Rs –

to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle waste.

25 – 30% of household waste is packaging, which we pay for then

throw away. By dumping recyclable waste we are throwing

valuable resources away.

The energy produced when the rubbish is burnt can be used to power other things.

Serious air pollution can be caused. Gases emitted need to be controlled and checked very carefully.


Fact sheet 3


Many towns and cities have kerbside collection schemes,

which collect recyclable materials from people’s homes. Other authorities have decided to provide local recycling banks

instead.

Recycling services create many jobs.

By recycling and composting you can reduce the contents of your

bin by at least 50%

The following materials can be recycled in many parts of the UK:

Newspapers and magazinesGlass bottles and jarsFood and drink cansAluminium foilClothes and shoesSpectaclesEngine oilCar batteriesDomestic batteriesGreen wastePlastic bottlesMany areas have a Scrapstore,

where waste materials can be reused creatively by schools,

children’s art projects, projects for the disabled etc.

To find your nearest Scrapstore refer to

www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk

Many areas have a project that collects unwanted furniture and white goods (fridges, cookers

etc). They ensure that items are reused by people on low

incomes rather than ending up in a landfill site.

Some authorities are working to increase the use of washable

nappies.

Recycling rates vary enormously from area to area. For example:UK Rank

(out of 461)Authority% of waste recycled% of waste compostedTotal %1Daventry13.830.143.917Bath and North East Som.18.35.023.3171Bristol11.30.812.1271Mid

Suffolk9.20.09.2371Barrow-in-Furness6.00.06.0461Hackney1.20.01.0Data from: www.defra.gov.uk

Charity shops and car boot sales are an excellent way to

ensure that unwanted clothes, toys, kitchen implements etc.

are reused.Websites such as www.swapitbristol.org encourage people to swap or give away unwanted items rather than throw them in the bin.

What do the words mean?

To maintain a sustainable environment, we need to live in such a way that our own needs are satisfied, without putting at risk the ability of future generations to do the same. We need to consider how we use resources and the short and long term effects that our actions have on the world and all living in it.

Match the words to the meanings below.

Resources that will run out

Resources that can be replaced over time

A hole in the ground used for burying rubbish

The burning of rubbish

The natural breakdown of some waste products

Processing waste products so that the materials can be used again

Using waste products again in their current state

Making fewer purchases, avoiding items with lots of packaging, not buying disposable items

The collection of energy produced through methods of waste disposal


waste reduction energy recovery recyclingincineration reuse landfill sitenon-renewable resources composting

renewable resources

Activity 1

Dealing with Rubbish

We cannot manage a sustainable environment without considering how we use resources and deal with waste. These are controversial issues and have numerous environmental and financial implications. There are many things that we, as individuals, can do. There are other decisions that need to be made by the government. The phrases below give some different ways of addressing the issues of resource use and managing waste.

1. Think about whether each action is personal (mark it P) or governmental (mark it G). Some might involve both.

2. What do you think should be the government’s priorities? Number their actions 1 (most important), 2 (2nd most important) and so on.

3. What should be the priorities for individuals? Number their actions in the same way.


Activity 2

Recycle everything possible

Open more landfill sites

Have smaller dustbins

Compost kitchen and garden wasteForce people to recycle by law

Reuse things, like clothes, furniture and bottles

Buy goods with less packaging

Recover energy from waste

Build more incinerators

Avoid replacing items that are not broken or worn out

Fine households that make a lot of rubbish

Reduce the amount of packaging around things

Improve the durability of goods

Buy things made from recycled materials

What does it really cost?Many

individuals who feel strongly about issues try to influence governmental

decisions and the opinions of members of their community.

In environmental terms, there are many hidden costs of an aluminium drink can. Both RESOURCES and ENERGY are used in the manufacture, distribution and disposal of canned drinks. These have both global and local implications for the environment.

1. Using the key, mark the statements below to indicate which part of the production process they are part of.

Manufacture: M Distribution: DT Disposal: DS

2. No

w

mark each box with G for global implications or L for local implications. You may decide that some boxes need both.

3. How can individuals be environmentally responsible in their use of aluminium cans?


Activity 3

Aluminium is made from bauxite.

Bauxite is mined in West Africa, Australia and the Caribbean.

The mining of bauxite is environmentally damaging, requiring huge amounts of energy and resulting in long-term damage to the local area.

Aluminium cans are relatively light, keeping down energy costs from transportation.

Aluminium cans be recycled over and over again.

Bauxite is a finite and scarce resource. Recycling aluminium drinks cans brings

potential energy savings of 95%, reduces import costs and produces 95% less greenhouse gas emissions than when it is produced from raw materials.

Aluminium cans are quite robust and survive most journeys without much protective packaging.

In 1998 an estimated 4 billion aluminium cans were used in the UK. If they had all been recycled, they would have been worth approximately £38 million…. but only about 36% were. The rest were dumped in landfill.

Either:Write to your MP explaining why your number 1 government priority is so important.Or:Design a leaflet to persuade others of the importance of you number one priority for individuals. Think about your target audience (i.e. who are you trying to convince?)


Are you a rotter?

After we’ve thrown our rubbish in the bin, it gets dumped in a landfill site. Materials that came from living things (we call it organic matter) will rot. Many people, if they consider it at all, think, “That’s OK – it just rots away. ” But unfortunately it’s not as simple as that. The bacteria that help things rot don’t have enough oxygen in the landfill site. So as things like banana skins and hedge clippings decompose they produce a flammable gas called methane. As well as being a dangerous explosion risk, this gas contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change. And we all know that’s NOT good news.

If you have even a small garden you can avoid this problem by making your own compost. Up to a third of the average household bin is made up of waste that could be composted. In a compost heap organic waste rots down, with the help of bacteria, fungi and worms, to make a fantastic all-in-one soil conditioner, plant food and mulch. It’s simple – just pile all your raw plant matter, from the kitchen or the garden, in a heap, cover it with something waterproof, and let nature do the rest. If that sounds a bit messy get yourself a compost bin to keep the pile tidy - many local authorities offer cheap, or even FREE, plastic compost bins, or you can buy one from a DIY shop.

Composting not only helps the environment by avoiding the problems of methane production in landfill sites, it saves you money as well! Forget popping to the shops to buy bags of compost or fertilizer – just use your own compost! And if you’re not quite persuaded yet, here’s one more brilliant thing about home composting: most commercial compost comes from peat bogs, a threatened natural habitat with rare plants and animals. Why on earth use this when we can make our own compost easily at home?


Activity 4


Across3. Composting really is! (6)5. Gas produced by rubbish rotting in landfill site (7)7. Damage caused to earth's atmosphere (10,6)10. Burns easily (9)13. Micro organisms vital to the decay process (8)14. Save this by composting (5)16. Proportion of household waste that can be composted (5)17. Plastic compost bin will keep your heap… (4)20. Don't buy it, make it! (10)

Down1. Wiggly recyclers (5)2. Commercially produced compost often comes from here (4,3)4. Destination for rubbish thrown in the bin (8,4)6. Alternative to compost bin (4)8. Home to plants and animals (7)9. Rot (9)11. Uncooked (3)12. A small one of these is fine for composting (6)15. There's not enough of this gas in landfill sites (6)18. Put plants in the compost bin and leave the rest to ….(6)

Are you a rotter?Are you a rotter?You’ll find all the answers in the

text about composting, so

read it carefully!

Writing frame

Read the fact sheets and any local information available, then use the writing frame to explain why we should care about rubbish. Use a separate piece of paper for your writing to give you as much space as you need.


Activity 5

Why should we care about rubbish?

I am going to explain

There are several reasons why we should care about rubbish.

Firstly,

Secondly,

In addition,

Finally,

Not everyone knows about this, and many people don’t care. This is probably because

Also

In this area we can

In conclusion, I think that people ought to

What should go where?

Using information about recycling and waste services in your area, complete the table below to show what sorts of waste products should go where. Can you think of better alternatives to buying the products that have to be thrown away?table and chairs cookers cardboard milk cartonspizza boxes plastic bottles mobile phones

shoesenvelopes beer cans newspapers

booksfoil pie dishes banana skins crisp packetsbaked bean cans egg shells disposable nappiesfridges plastic cat food pouches plastic carrier bagsold plates and cups grass cuttings car batteries

Reuse it(how?)

Recycle it(how?)

Compost it Throw it away(alternative?)


Activity 6

These 20 waste words are all hidden in the grid.Can you find them?ALUMINIIUM PAPERBIN PLASTICCARDBOARD

RECYCLECOMPOST REDUCEENERGY REFILLGLASS

RENEWABLEINCINERATION REUSELANDFILL RUBBISHLEACHATE STEELMETHANE WASTE

Word search and cracking the code

a b c d e f g h i j k l m

n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Activity 7

E B I M E T H A N E O G L OA Y R A O N R E D U C E D AL G A L I L N I B S A I R AC R E U S R E C Y C L E O LC E E M A T E E H H F D A OI N C I N E R A T I O N C RT E R N U A T W L S D E A DS W U I R E R L E F A N R EA A B U E U N P I L X W D FL B B M U G T L E T Y C B RP L I I S N L T S O P M O CE E S H E T N A L D I D A SE I H Y T N I D S E A T R HP A P E R D I L E S P R D T


Activity 8 Maximising participation

The table below shows how the UK’s recycling rates compare with those of some other countries.

Country % of household waste recycled

Switzerland 52Sweden 34

USA 31.5UK 12

Data from: www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/20020422000116.html

Recycling and composting rates vary enourmously from area to area within the UK. For example, these are some statistics produced in 2001/2:

Rank in the UK(out of 461)

Authority % of waste

recycled

% of waste composted

Total %

1 Daventry 13.8 30.1 43.9104 North Devon 13.7 0.8 14.5315 Malvern Hills 7.8 0.0 7.8461 Hackney 1.2 0.0 1.2

Data from: www.defra.gov.uk

Work in groups or as a class. Use the back of this sheet to make notes.

1. Think of some ideas for increasing recycling and composting rates in your area.You will need to consider:

Levels of public awareness of the issues. People’s attitudes to waste and recycling. Where people live (e.g., in cities / towns / villages, in

flats / houses, with / without gardens.)www.recyclingconsortium.org.uk

Activity 9 Designing a leaflet or

poster People’s ways of life (e.g., those who eat lots of convenience

food, those who grow their own vegetables, those who work shifts etc.)

People’s differing levels of mobilty (e.g., using cars / bikes / public transport.)

How to get the message accross to different age groups. The effects of gentle persuasion, publicity, incentives

and potential new laws.2. What could you do to promote the three R’s (reduce, reuse

and recycle) amongst the pupils and staff of your school?

You are going to design a leaflet or poster to promote recycling or composting at home.

1. Gather as much information as you can from leaflets, websites, fact sheets etc.

2. Look at how other leaflets and posters are designed and think about what makes them interesting and good at getting across a message.

3. Decide on your target audience - who your leaflet / poster is going to appeal to (e.g., children / teenagers / young adults / pensioners, families / single people.)

4. Decide on the format you want to use (e.g., size, paper orientation, folded etc.)

5. Think about how you use fonts, text size, different colours. Also what graphics are most effective.

6. Make sure the poster / leaflet that you design is clear and informative. Maybe you could ask someone from your target audience (e.g., a friend or neighbour) for some feedback when it is nearly finished.



Activity 9 How much do you waste?

Activity 10

Over the course of a week, keep a record of the things that you throw away. Record how you actually dispose of them and finally consider how they could better have been disposed of for the good of the environment. Include the things your family throws away too, if you can.

To help you record your results, use abbreviations. For example:

B: put it in the bin R: recycled it RU: reused itL: dropped it as litter

Day Waste What you did with it

What should you have done with it?

Monday

Tuesday


Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday


Sunday

What have you found out about how much you waste?


Documents

KS3 Materials on Waste - Recycling Consortium · Web viewActivity 7: Word search and cracking the code This activity is self-explanatory! Activity 8: Maximising participation Working