Solid
Waste
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Lesson 3
Introduction | Invitation | Exploration | Explanation | Taking Action | Conclusion
Introduction
In this lesson,
the primary goal is to increase your knowledge of recycling.
You and your group members will conduct an experiment by
making recycled paper over a four day period. If
possible, your class will also take an excursion to a
local recycling center.
Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson you should be able to list common materials that can be recycled and describe how paper was recycled during class.
Materials
- newspaper
- small tub of water
- blender or potato masher
- screen
- tub to collect excess water
- waxed paper
- heavy books
- computer
- journal
- (recycled egg carton to compare differences from your recycled paper)
Class Discussion - Remember when we sorted our garbage in lesson one? You made several different piles - plastic, paper, glass, food scraps, aluminum, etc... In your groups discuss why you chose to sort the garbage into these piles? If you mention recycling in this discussion, then define just what it means for something to be recycled. Write down your groups definition.Now check out a section from a recycled newspaper (or recycled napkin) and see what's special about it. Are there any differences when comparing it to new paper? After five minutes, list each quality that found to be different and each quality that seemed to be the same.
Recycling
Paper
Procedure:
1.
Take a few sheets of newspaper
and tear the
newspaper into small strips.
Place
strips in a small tub of water. Allow strips to soak for 24
hours. After the 24
hours, place wet strips into blender (or use potato masher
in tub of water and
paper) to make mush. Blend or mash the paper until it
is a uniform mush.
2. Pour the mush
onto a screen which has been placed over a tub to collect
the water
drainage. Spread the mush into a thin layer on the screen.
Place a sheet of waxed
paper over the mush. Put heavy books on the waxed paper to
help press out the
water. Students will write in their journal their prediction
about what they think the
recycled paper will look like.
3. Allow 2-3 days
for the paper to dry. After the time allotted, remove the
books
and waxed paper and show the new paper. Try to use the
paper to do your next
homework assignment.
Internet exploration:
Now it its time to check out more about recycling on the internet. Investigate the following cool links and then answer the questions listed below.
What other materials can be recycled?How are they recycled?
How are they reused?
Top
Explanation
To summarize this lesson, discuss the experiment and all the information that you discovered about recycling. In each of your journals, write about your hypothesis in your journals. Did the recycled paper turn out like you predicted?
As a group, post your findings and/or your opinions about recycling on the Solid Waste Eco-Connections Project Forum. While you do so, check out other peoples finding and opinions and compare them with those of your group.
If possible, take a field trip to a recycling center or have a recycling expert present a program to your class. If you get this opportunity, write in your journal about the experience and describe what you learned from the adventure.
In this lesson, we have learned how to recycle paper and the importance of doing so. In addition, we have increased our knowledge of materials which can be recycled and how they are reused.