The Good, the Bad, and the RecyclableThe Good, the Bad, and the Recyclable

Standard 1: The Nature of Science and Technology

Indicator 4.1.9Indicator 4.1.9 Explain how some products and materials are

easier to recycle than others.

Resources: http://www.indianastandardresources.org/files/sci

/sci_4_1_9.pdf

http://www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/common.html

DefinitionsDefinitions

Recycle- to process used or waste materials so as to make suitable for reuse Glass Newspaper Plastic

Non-recyclable- materials that cannot be recycled or reused

Background InformationBackground Information

It’s important you are familiar with recycling. Do you recycle at home, and if you do, are you familiar with how it’s done?

Is recycling a chore at home? This would be a good time to discuss your experiences with recycling.

Group ActivityGroup Activity

Begin a group discussion. Ask each other what it means to recycle, and if everything can be recycled.

Talk among yourselves about the recycle triangle, and ask each other if you know what it is. Is it used for something?

Group Activity (Continued)Group Activity (Continued) Now is also a good time to talk about the

different materials that are recycled, and how these materials are recycled in completely different ways.

Also, talk about the different kinds of plastic that can be recycled. The markers on the recycle triangle to distinguish between plastics are called cryptic markers. (Numbers 1-7)

Group Activity (Continued)Group Activity (Continued)

Now, divide up into groups of four, and each group should get a set of “trash”, poster paper, and a marker.

Create two columns on your paper, one column labeled “Recyclable” and the other “Non-recyclable.”

Group Activity (Continued)Group Activity (Continued) First, divide your sets of trash into items with the

recycle triangle and items without the recycle triangle. You will want to record what kinds of materials have the recycle triangle on them (e.g., plastics) under the recyclable column.

Discuss any similarities the items share (e.g., are they composed of only one type of material?)

Group Activity (Continued)Group Activity (Continued) Now talk about the materials that are unmarked.

Ask each other if any of these materials can be recycled. (paper)

Sort out any items that are recyclable (although they do not have the recycle triangle) and list them on the “Recycle” column

Examine the remaining items and discuss what is similar about them. How many materials are used to make the items? Can more than one kind of material can be recycled together?

Group Activity (Continued)Group Activity (Continued)

List the items you think are non-recyclable in the given column.

Notice that some complex items, such as batteries, can be recycled but that they have to be taken apart in order to do so. Other complex items, such as light bulbs, cannot be recycled.

AssessmentAssessment Each group will present it’s poster and discuss

why each item is recyclable or non-recyclable. Do you think it’s easier to recycle a plastic bottle

or a battery and why? How do you know what items can be recycled? Other discussion questions: “Can a cardboard

juice carton with metal ends be recycled?” and “How do you know that?”

Assessment (Continued)Assessment (Continued)

As another possible activity, you could create an object by only using recyclable materials. Examples would be to construct a robot using

only recyclable materials or create a city using milk cartoons and cereal boxes.