Here are two fun and attractive displays that you can use in your classroom to identify the trash and recycling bins.

Where does our garbage go? What is the difference between a recyclable and non-recyclable item? Pose these important, but often overlooked, questions to your class and invite them to consider the lasting and damaging effects of the...

Students explore garbage. In this landfill lesson, students investigate how much garbage is collected in landfills on average each day. Students discover hazardous materials that are disposed of improperly and the effects of these...

Students identify sources of home hazardous waste and create posters to educate the community about how to handle hazardous wastes.

Which ones can be thrown on the ground? Discover the difference between natural litter and unhealthy trash, helping scholars by using several examples. Use the information here to give them a basic background, but also encourage prior...

Students create plants out of garbage. They identify items that can be recycled and discuss natural resources. They share their creation with the class.

Young scientists find ways to harness energy in order to make a machine that can crush aluminum cans. Learners discuss the importance of finding ways to reduce the number of trips to the recycling center from school. They attempt to...

Two news articles are read by class members regarding the excess of garbage in Toronto, Canada. As small groups, they take sides about how to handle the trash, conduct internet research, and then select a representative to act on their...

Both poetry analysis and waste disposal are more engaging topics for young readers with a worksheet to accompany the Shel Silverstein poem 'Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out" from Where the Sidewalk Ends. Not only...

Four different activities focus on the amount of trash generated and how humans can better manage waste. Learners analyze two days' worth of household garbage, test materials for biodegradability, and rate recyclability of various...

Students explore how waste disposal has changed over time and what the current issues are.  In this disposal lesson students collect data and create graphs.

Students evaluate trash. In this Science lesson, students collect and weigh trash from their classrooms. Students categorize the trash and the corresponding weights, recording the information on a data sheet.

In this trash reduction worksheet, learners determine what can be done to reduce the amount of trash that is produced in the cafeteria during lunch. They count the number of garbage bags, bags of cans, and bags of glass. They analyze...

Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning instructional activity, students examine what to do with waste as they plan and implement a strategy for controlling their school's trash.

Students collect their own garbage. In this recycling activity, students keep their own garbage for a day in their own personal garbage bag and then consider methods to reduce wastefulness.

Students investigate recycling. In this recycling lesson, students sort through recyclable items and place them in proper bins. Students explain their choice at the end of the activity.

Young scholars investigate data about America's trash production. In this environmental lesson, students use statistics about what we throw away to create an art pie chart project called a "trash pizza."

Students define trash, garbage, or solid waste, discuss ways of disposing of trash, list examples of biodegradable materials, and have trash relay race in order to sort trash into appropriate containers labeled biodegradable, reusable,...

Students identify how different cultures deal with the challenge of trash. Read an excerpt from a chapter book based on real life written from the Southern Indian perspective. Describe the life of a street child in Southern India....

Students investigate the amount of trash they generate, the problems that result and possible solutions.They complete four activities regarding household trash, biodegradability, packaging, and recycling.

Students collect and categorize solid waste produced in the classroom. They weigh the waste that has been collected over one week's time, and separate it into recyclable and non-recyclable waste. They talk about the role of engineers in...

Students explore solid waste and its effects on the environment. They explain some of the major problems caused by waste disposal and the use of landfills. They suggest ways to reduce the amount of solid waste going into a landfill.

High schoolers explore the topic of waste management. They define key vocabulary words, take a pre-quiz, complete a questionnaire, evaluate their own waste reduction habits, and write a short summary.

Young scholars research local waste management services, discuss findings, give opinions about what they have found, offer solutions and ideas, and create performance art, design art works, and fine art works to convey information on...