Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

By Parks MillardAllison Broadwater

What Does It Mean To Be Green?

What is Recycling?

Recycling is the process of taking waste, or a product at the end of its useful life, and using all or part of it to make another product.

Why should we Recycle?

The Earth has many resources, but most are nonrenewable (which means once we use it, it is gone!). Several examples are coal, oil, and natural gas.

Every time garbage is taken to a dump, most of it remains whole for many years. When hazardous materials are left on the Earth’s surface, it seeps into the ground or becomes part of the atmosphere.

In 2010, in the United States alone, over 250 million pounds of waste was generated.

Why did the title say “Reduce and Reuse?”

Recycling is not the only thing we can do to help protect our environment!

Reduce suggests people buy less (or buy only what you need). A popular trend is using reusable grocery bags to help reduce the amount of harmful plastic and paper bags.

Reuse means taking an item that is normally used once and finding a second (or third, fifth, or hundredth!) use to prolong the item’s life. This can be done at home when a toy or machine breaks. Repair the toy or fix the machine instead of throwing it away and getting a new one.

How can we Recycle in the classroom?

There are many ways to recycle in the classroom!

• Have several trash cans instead of one or two. Label the trash cans for papers, plastics, etc.

• Have a scrap paper station. Whenever students cut paper, place any medium-to-large sized scraps in the station.

• Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles.

• Can you think of any ideas on your own?

Take it to the next level!

If you want to begin recycling at home or in you neighborhood, encourage your parents to look athttp://earth911.com/ to find recycling centers and services that are near your home!

References• http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/explore/reduce/index.htm

• http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm

• http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/dropoff.htm

• http://earth911.com/

• http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/conservation/reducereuserecycle/