Audit your waste bins and calculate the carbon benefits of recycling and composting.

PURPOSE

With this activity, you will approximate how much greenhouse gases you are diverting from landfills by simply recycling and composting. In addition, learn about ways you can continue to reduce waste and reduce the need to recycle/compost all together!

GRADE LEVELS

7-12

SUBJECTS

Science
Social Studies
Math

SKILLS DEVELOPED

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Collaboration

MATERIALS NEEDED

Disposable gloves

Plastic bag

Scale

Pen/pencil and clipboard

Worksheet (download here)

TIME

30 minutes

Instructions

Get your hands dirty and sort through all the waste bins in your home!
*Hint: To reduce waste, use minimal plastic gloves and bags for all locations.
Sort similar waste items into a clear plastic bag and weigh the bag with a scale. Record the weight into the appropriate category in the worksheet.
Make sure you set the scale to ZERO (if necessary) before weighing. Also ensure you are not pushing down on the scale when weighing your bag.
Once you have finished, dispose of your gloves in the trash, recycle the clear plastic bags, and make sure the remaining waste goes in the right place.
Take photos of your audit! Share what you found out with your friends and family!

Instructions

Was everything you sorted in the right place? If not, how can you help ensure your household properly sorts their waste?
- Even if you don’t have recycling/composting services in your area … there are still ways to divert your waste! Check out the links below:
  - Free recycling locator
  - How to compost at home
Read the quote below and answer the following questions.

“Everything we buy at the store creates waste! From finding the raw materials, to building the object, to shipping the object, and finally to its disposal… each step emits greenhouse gas emissions.”
- Individually, how can we reduce greenhouse gas with what we buy?
- Similarly, how can we reduce the need to even recycle or compost in the first place? (These processes also emit greenhouse gas emissions… although they are greener alternatives to the landfill)
  (*Hint: Think reduce, reuse, recycle… which is better, and which action is the easiest for all concerned)?
Did you know… that 1/3 of all food grown on farms is thrown away in Canada? That is a LOT of food
- Brainstorm some ways you can reduce food waste.
No fear! There are solutions out there like Second Harvest Food Rescue (based in Toronto, ON) or Leftovers Food Rescue (based in Calgary, AB). Research these companies to learn more!

This activity was made possible thanks to Energy Efficiency Alberta

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