![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090508194141im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Teaching Resources - Waste and Recycling
Visit waste & recycling links on our other EE sites:
EPA links
Basic information about Waste Grades
9-12, Teachers
www.epa.gov/epawaste/basicinfo.htm
- Basic information about waste
- Basic information about hazardous waste
- Basic information about non-hazardous waste (solid waste)
Consumer's
Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
epa.gov/osw/wycd/catbook/
This site describes how people can help solve a growing problem...garbage!
epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/docs/comm-serv2.pdf
Hazardous
Waste: Superfund Grades
6-8,Grades
9-12
epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/hazindex.htm
A collection of activities to assist in teaching about hazardous waste, environmental
issues surrounding site cleanup, and the Federal government's Superfund program.
Grades 7-12.
Paper University Grades
6-8
Great history of papermaking and lots of activities and information about forestry.
Pollution
Prevention Toolbox Grades
6-8
epa.gov/reg5rcra/wptdiv/p2pages/toolbox.htm
The toolbox contains a series of four-page lesson plans on various pollution
prevention concepts for schools. Grades 6-8.
The
Quest for Less: Activities and resources for teaching K-8 Grades
K-5, Grades
6-8
epa.gov/osw/education/quest/quest.htm
Use this resource to develop lesson plans, incorporate a range of activities
into various subject areas throughout the school year.
Recycle City Grades
K-5
epa.gov/recyclecity/
Recycling Grades
9-12, Teachers
epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm
Because there's not one simple remedy for our trash problem, this site explains
and explores why we need to consider a combination of solutions to manage it.
Reducing and reusing waste, recycling, burning trash for energy recovery, and
landfilling are all parts of the solution.
Resources for Waste Education Grades
6-8
epa.gov/epawaste/education/teachers/
These online activities make learning about recycling fun!
Students will love the colorful graphics and educational activities.
Science
Fair Fun: Designing Environmental Science Projects (PDF) (16 pp, 245K About
PDF ) (EPA 530-K-00-008) Grades
6-8
Science
Fair Fun: Designing Environmental Science Projects en Español
(PDF) (16 pp, 223K About
PDF ) Grades
6-8
epa.gov/osw/education/pdfs/sciencefair.pdf,
epa.gov/osw/education/pdfs/k00008s.pdf
Resource booklet designed to generate ideas for students and teachers
interested in solid waste science fair projects. This document
contains a brief overview of the scientific method and provides
students and educators with sample project ideas that provide a
basis for designing an environmental science experiment. It also
contains a glossary of solid-waste terms and a list of "other
resources", both print and electronic, related to environmental science
projects.
Superfund: About
Superfund
epa.gov/superfund/about.htm
This page provides an overview of the Superfund program, highlights key steps
in the Superfund cleanup process, explains how the program is enforced, describes
EPA's Superfund offices, and links to other EPA hazardous-waste programs.
Superfund:
Classroom Activities
epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act
This site has resources to help teachers and educate students (grades 2-12)
about the Superfund Program. It includes several activities, environmental
cleanup videos, and a participatory program in which classrooms collect weather
data for EPA.
Superfund:
Hazardous Substance and Hazardous Waste
epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/haz-ed/ff_01.htm
This site provides useful information on hazardous chemicals, different types
of waste materials and how to properly dispose of them.
Volunteer
for Change (EPA530-K-01-002)(PDF) (24pp,
567K About
PDF ) May 2001
epa.gov/osw/education/teens/pdf/vol4chng.pdf
Volunteer for Change: A Guide to Environmental Community Service en Español
(PDF)(23 pp, 577K About
PDF )
epa.gov/osw/education/teens/pdf/k01002s.pdf
This guide to environmental community service features the ABCs of volunteering
plus projects on reuse, recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste.
See also Environmental Protection Begins With You (EPA-530-K-06-001)(PDF) (24pp, 530K About
PDF ) July 2006
Waste publications by topic - Educational Resources Teachers
epa.gov/osw/inforesources/pubs/educational_resources.htm
Where
Can I Take My Computer? Grades
9-12, Teachers
epa.gov/epr/products/computers.html
Web sites and organizations that can provide information on opportunities for
donating and recycling computers and other electronics.
Zip Code Search Grades
9-12
epa.gov/epahome/comm.htm
Get specific environmental information about your neighborhood by entering
your zipcode on this site.
External links
The Adventures of Herman the Worm Grades
K-5
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/worms/
A site for younger kids to learn about composting, worm bins and the biology of earthworms. What's on the menu at the Worm Deli? ¡En Español tambien!
Air Defenders - the
Quest for Clean Air 
Grades
6-8
www.airdefenders.org
Learn how burning garbage in the open air causes pollution and health problems.
This site is aimed at students 10 and up. It presents alternatives to open
burning (recycle, trash dump, reuse, compost). Students earn their Air Defender
badge while pursuing their quest to clean the air and protect community health.
Clean Sweep
USA Grades
6-8
cleansweepusa.org
Fun activities and curriculum for grades 6-8 on solid waste management.
Garbage pizza (solid waste management), Waste watchers (make less waste in
the first place), Compost Office (how composting works), Recycling Rules (how
recycling works), Energy to Burn (burning waste to generate electricity), Landfill
Lounge (how landfills work)
Composting
in Schools K-12
compost.css.cornell.edu/schools.html
A comprehensive guide for teachers interested in guiding students' research
projects on composting. The book was selected by the National Science Teachers
Association to be included in 'Recommends', a collection of the best science
education books.
Earth 911 (Recycling) Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12
www.earth911.org/
Type in your ZIP code or find your State on a map to locate recycling
centers in your community "for all types of recyclables." This
site contains information you can use to teach middle school and high
school students about waste prevention, recycling and other environmental
issues.
EE Link Teachers K-12
eelink.net/pages/Teachers
This Web site porvides educators of students in Pre-K thriugh 12th grade with free downloadable lesson plans and webpage links on a range of environemntal education topics.
EnviroHealth Connections Grades
6-8, Grades
9-12, Teachers
http://www.thinkport.org/classroom/connections/default.tp
EnviroHealth Connections is a gateway to multi-media resources for middle and high school students and teachers. This project brings imagination into the classroom through interactive investigations, expert presentations, comprehensive lesson plans and more.
The Green Flag Program Grades
9-12
www.greenflagschools.org
The
Green Flag Program helps schools become healthier places for kids,
and teaches students about the school's environment. Parents, teachers,
and kids work together to investigate environmental issues in school,
identify problems, create solutions, and improve the school environment.
National Environmental Education
Week K-12
www.eeweek.org/resources/curricula_library.htm
Whether you are a teacher in a public, private, or homeschool classroom, or an educator at a nature center, zoo, or aquarium, Environmental Education Week can help you to actively engage your students in environmental education. The Environmental Education Curricula Library provides environmentally-themed lessons and activities for K-12.
Trash
Goes to School K-12
cwmi.css.cornell.edu/TrashGoesToSchool/TrashIntro.html
A complete curriculum for teaching about solid waste and recycling, broken
out into four grade ranges from K-12. Covers reduction, recycling, composting,
incineration, landfills and risk.
What's Up
with the Environment Grades
9-12
www.thirteen.org/edonline/wue/
If you need a single lesson or a longer term project, visit this site for extensive
and multimedia background information and plans for projects about water, land,
air and energy. Students can explore environmental issues, formulate and find
answers to questions about the environment, and explore "Cool Careers" for
ideas about an environment-related job.
What
on Earth? (water, soil, land quiz) Grades
6-8,Grades
9-12
gaia.hq.nasa.gov/quiz/quiz_start-template.cfm
Where Compost Happens Grades
6-8
See how Mansfield Middle School set up a school-wide food waste composting program.