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Is Recycling Still Worth It Anymore in 2021?

Provided by: NowThis Earth |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This video by NowThis Earth breaks down plastic recycling, showing the true social and environmental costs of "recycling" some plastics.
Students will understand the flaws of the current United States recycling system, changes to where our waste has gone, and what it will take to have a better system.

Subjects: Economics, Engineering

Authors: NowThis Earth

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This video outlines the environmental injustice of the global plastic recycling system. Much of the plastic that is "recycled" in the United States (except #1 and #2) is shipped to the Global South and may not be recycled.
This video is dynamic and features excellent graphics.

Prerequisites

This may change the narrative in your classroom or school, showing that plastic recycling is not what you think it is.
Students can engage in any number of higher-priority climate actions at school, including advocating for more plant-based food, reducing food waste, or creating no-idle zones to reduce emissions from cars and buses.
One way to fix the broken plastic recycling system is simply to consume less plastic in the first place. So if students ask what they can do, suggest a personal action they can take for the climate: buy less stuff.

Differentiation & Implementation

After students watch the video, they can pivot to a different environmental campaign, such as Meatless Mondays or the installation of School Hydration Stations.
Students can research local recycling systems to learn what can actually be recycled in their town.
Note that paper, cardboard, glass, and aluminum are recycled domestically and are very important to reduce our impacts on the planet. Students can look to purchase products made from 100% recycled material and can look for paper, glass, and aluminum as alternatives to plastic packaging/items.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.