Waste Audit
Grade 5 | Grade 6
Summary
This eye-opening exercise measures how much waste your school is generating and identifies opportunities to reduce it. Students will sort and weigh the contents of a garbage bin and recycling bin. They’ll discuss if they could have instead been recycled, composted, or reused, then sort them accordingly to see the difference. This is one of the key research methods we use to evaluate Manitoba’s recycling practices.
Thinking Concepts and Skills
- Learn which items go in the recycling bin, garbage, and compost bin.
- Problem solving
- Math skills (to weigh and calculate waste groupings).
Lesson Materials
Matériel Pédagogique
The Good ‘Sort’ of Recycling
Sort and discuss materials as a class to learn what can go in the blue bin.
Don’t be a Litterbug
Let students get creative while learning about recycling by making bugs out of recyclables.
Colour me Blue
Have students colour and cutout pictures from the worksheet to get familiar with recyclables.
Your Recycling Journal
Have students document and reflect on their recycling habits to learn how they can improve.
Landfill Emissions
Understand landfill emissions and learn how reducing food waste can have positive effects.
Waste Audit
Measure how much waste your school is generating and identify opportunities to reduce it.
Word Search
Introduce students to common words and phrases related to recycling and environmentalism.