Description: Implement a recycling program.

Goals National Council of Social Studies

• Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places, and environments.
• Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create and change structures of power, authority, and governance.
• Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Facts and Figures

• Find facts at www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/publicworks/recycling/recyclfact.html
• You can also view a pie chart of what’s in America’s trash at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/nonhw/reduce/catbook/what.htm

Resources - Recycling Center

Action Steps - To implement your recycling program…

• Educate students on citizenship and recycling. Use the lesson ideas that follow to focus on your grade level’s citizenship goals.
• Contact a local recycling center. Find out if and when they will pick up the recycling. Also, find out what materials they accept and how to prepare materials for pick up (wash, remove lids, etc.) 
• Have a speaker from a local recycling center visit the students.
• Come up with a plan for a recycling program. Issues to consider include: class, school or community-wide.
• Sort the recyclables.
• Curbside pick-up available or own transportation recycling bins/receptacles location
  informing others
  Get materials for recycling. You will need recycling bins. You will also need a central location to store the recycling bins/receptacles. Is there anything else you will need?
• Inform others of your recycling program. Make brochures or posters to inform others of what you recycle and scheduled time of pick up.
• Begin your recycling program. Be sure to evaluate on a regular basis to ensure
  its success!
   

Other Options for helping the environment

• Create a composting site for your school.
• Plan an earth day celebration to plant trees and pick up trash.
• Pick up trash around your school or community.
  

Evaluation

• Did the learner show a concern for the use and abuse of the environment?
• Did the learner come up with possible solutions to the global issue of environment?