Waste reduction

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Video

1. Discussion after video

The questions that can be used to further discuss on the topic of waste reduction are the following:

• What did you learn on this video that you want to share with someone else?
• Who will you share it with?
• What is waste reduction about?
• Are you familiar with it?
• Why is it important?
• How do you feel about waste reduction?
• Are you used in reducing waste in your daily life?
• Is there anything you would like to learn more about this topic?

 

• Waste Reduction Activities

Teachers can choose 1 among the 2 suggested activities, according to their students’ profiles. 

 

A1. REUSABLE SANDWICH WRAP CREATION

• Target group (age group): 10 – 12 years
• Materials needed: Fabric (cotton, canvas or other similar materials), Scissors, Ruler or measuring tape, Fabric glue or sewing machine, Parchment paper, Iron
• Aim of the activity: The aim of this activity is to engage students in critical thinking about the environmental impact of their choices regarding packaging materials. By making their own reusable sandwich wraps, they will learn how to create a sustainable alternative to aluminum foil wrap and how small changes in their daily routines can make a big impact on the environment.
• Description of the activity:

1. Present the materials—aluminum foil and reusable sandwich wrap—to the students. Students will explore two different paths related to packaging materials, as their breakfast.

• Option 1: Aluminum Foil
• 
• Explain that the first path involves using aluminum foil as a packaging material. Engage the students in a discussion about what might happen to aluminum foil once it’s thrown away, focusing on its disposability and decomposition rate. Encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas about the environmental consequences of using aluminum foil.
• Option 2: Reusable Sandwich Wrap
• 
• Introduce the second path, which involves using a reusable sandwich wrap instead of aluminum foil. Facilitate a short brainstorming session to gather ideas from students about the advantages of using a reusable wrap, such as waste reduction and resource conservation. Then encourage students to think critically about the positive impacts of this choice on the environment and their daily lives.

In the reflective discussion that you create in class, you have to:

• Compare and contrast the two paths and their consequences.
• Explore the advantages and disadvantages of each choice, considering factors such as waste generation, resource consumption, and long-term environmental impact.
• Encourage students to share their reflections on how their individual choices can contribute to a more sustainable future.

2. Engage students in a hands-on project where they design and create their own reusable packaging alternatives using sustainable materials. Show the children the materials and explain how to create the reusable sandwich wraps.
   1. Have them choose their fabric and measure out a piece that is 35 x 35 cm. Once they have measured out their fabric, have them cut it to size using scissors. They can use pinking shears for a decorative edge.
   2. Next, have them fold over the edges of the fabric by 0,5 cm and press them down with an iron*. This will create a clean edge and prevent the fabric from fraying.
   3. They can now fold the fabric in half, with the right sides facing each other. Use fabric glue or a sewing machine to sew around the edges, leaving a small gap to turn the wrap right side out.
   4. Once the wrap is sewn, turn it right side out through the gap. Use a pencil or chopstick to push out the corners and ensure it is fully turned.
   5. Finally, have them fold the wrap in half and use parchment paper and an iron to create a crease in the center. This will make it easier to wrap sandwiches and other food items.

*Instead of using an iron and parchment paper to create a crease in the center, the children could use a simple folding method to make their sandwich wrap easier to use. They can fold the wrap in half and press it down firmly with their hands, using the edge of a table or other flat surface to help create a sharp crease. Students can illustrate their wrap and make some kind of exhibition to the school

• Questions for reflection:
• How does using reusable sandwich wraps help the environment?
• What other single-use plastics can we replace in our daily lives?
• How did you feel while making your own sandwich wrap?
• What other creative ideas can you come up with to reduce waste and single-use plastics?
• Personal plan: Write down what kind of activities you are going to implement in the next 7 days referring to waste reduction. Do you think that you are going to face any difficulties? If yes, what kind and how are you going to address them?

A2. REUSABLE SANDWICH WRAP CREATION

• Target group (age group): 12-14 years or more advanced kids
• Aim/Learning Goal: To teach teenagers about the principles of sustainable design and the use of technology to create a reusable lunch box using a 3D printer.
• Materials: 3D modeling software (such as Tinkercad or Fusion 360), 3D printer and printing materials (such as PLA filament), Scissors, Ruler or measuring tape

• Detailed description of the activity:

1. Explain that creating a reusable lunch box using a 3D printer is an innovative way to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
2. Show the teenagers how to use a 3D modeling software (such as Tinkercad or Fusion 360) to design their own reusable lunch box, using precise measurements and considering the ergonomics of the design.
3. Assist the teenagers in converting their 3D model into a format suitable for 3D printing.
4. Demonstrate how to use a 3D printer to print their reusable lunch box using PLA filament or similar materials.
5. After printing, show the teenagers how to assemble their lunch box by cutting and fitting a piece of foam or other suitable material to create a secure and comfortable interior.
6. Encourage the teenagers to decorate their lunch boxes with markers or paint to make them unique and personal.
7. Allow the lunch boxes to dry completely before using them.
8. Students can illustrate their wrap and make some kind of exhibition to the school

• Questions for Reflection:
• How does creating a 3D printed reusable lunch box promote sustainability and reduce waste compared to using disposable plastic containers?
• What other items can we create using technology and sustainable design principles to promote sustainability and reduce waste in our daily lives?
• How does reducing waste through sustainable design contribute to the health of the environment and our communities?
• Personal plan: Write down what kind of activities you are going to implement in the next 7 days referring to waste reduction. Do you think that you are going to face any difficulties? If yes, what kind and how are you going to address them?
  

1. STRANGE OBJECTS IN THE PLAYGROUND

Activity about finding hidden trash in the playground and brainstorming solutions to reuse and reduce.

• Target group (age group): 10-14 years old
• Materials needed: Gloves (for safety and hygiene purposes), Garbage bags, Sorting containers (e.g., bins or buckets)
• Aim of the activity: The aim of this activity is to teach children about the importance of reducing waste and finding ways to reuse materials in creative ways. By searching for hidden trash in their playground and coming up with solutions to reuse and reduce, they will learn how to become responsible and mindful environmental stewards.
• Description of the activity:

1. Present two photos of a playground area (one full of trash and another cleaned) Students will explore two different paths related to the garbage that they throw away while they are playing in the breakfast time or while they come and go out to school.
2. Introducing the topic of waste reduction and discussing the impact of littering on the environment. Ask the children questions such as “What are some examples of litter?”, “What happens when we don’t properly dispose of waste?”, and “How can we reduce our waste?”.
3. Provide gloves, garbage bags, and sorting containers to the children. Have them explore the playground to search for hidden trash. Encourage them to be careful and mindful of any potential hazards.
4. Once they have collected the trash, have them sort it into categories such as recyclable, non-recyclable, and compostable. This will help them understand the different types of waste and how they can be properly disposed of.
5. Now that they have sorted the trash, have them brainstorm ways to reuse and reduce the materials. For example, they could create artwork from plastic bottles, use old tires for a garden border, or turn cardboard boxes into a fort. Encourage them to be creative and think outside the box.
6. Once they have brainstormed solutions, have them share their ideas with the group. Discuss the feasibility of each idea and how they can be implemented in their community.

* Alternative ideas: Students can take photos of the place they found the trash and make a poster with that photo and the solutions to reuse and reduce; and maybe find images or what it would be like when transformed to be reused

• Questions for reflection:
• What did you learn about waste reduction from this activity?
• How can we encourage others to reduce their waste?
• What ideas did you come up with to reuse and reduce materials? How can we make these ideas a reality?
• What other environmental issues do you think we should address in our community?
• Personal plan: Write down what kind of activities you are going to implement in the next 7 days referring to waste reduction. Do you think that you are going to face any difficulties? If yes, what kind and how are you going to address them?