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Waste and Recycling Background Information

see also Waste & Recycling Curriculum Resources

Air Defenders - the Quest for Clean Air Exit EPA disclaimer
Learn how burning garbage in the open air causes pollution and health problems. This site is aimed at students 10 and up. It presents alternatives to open burning (recycle, trash dump, reuse, compost). Students earn their Air Defender badge while pursuing their quest to clean the air and protect community health.
www.airdefenders.org

Composting in Schools Exit EPA disclaimer
A comprehensive guide for teachers interested in guiding students' research projects on composting. The book was selected by the National Science Teachers Association to be included in 'Recommends', a collection of the best science education books.
compost.css.cornell.edu/schools.html

Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste
This site describes how people can help solve a growing problem...garbage!

The Quest for Less: Activities and Resources for teaching K-6
Use this resource to develop lesson plans, incorporate a range of activities into various subject areas throughout the school year.

Recycling
Because there's not one simple remedy for our trash problem, this site explains and explores why we need to consider a combination of solutions to manage it. Reducing and reusing waste, recycling, burning trash for energy recovery, and landfilling are all parts of the solution.

Recycling Hotline Exit EPA disclaimer
Type in your ZIP code or find your State on a map to locate recycling centers in your community "for all types of recyclables."

Superfund: About Superfund
This page provides an overview of the Superfund program, highlights key steps in the Superfund cleanup process, explains how the program is enforced, describes EPA's Superfund offices, and links to other EPA hazardous-waste programs.

Superfund: Classroom Activities
This site has resources to help teachers and educate
students (grades 2-12) about the Superfund Program. It includes several activities, environmental cleanup videos, and a participatory program in which classrooms collect weather data for EPA.

Superfund: Hazardous Substance and Hazardous Waste
This site provides useful information on hazardous chemicals, different types of waste materials and how to properly dispose of them.

Volunteer for Change (PDF, 567K)
This guide to environmental community service features the ABCs of volunteering plus projects on reuse, recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste.

What's Up with the Environment Exit EPA disclaimer
If you need a single lesson or a longer term project, visit this site for extensive and multimedia background information and plans for projects about water, land, air and energy. Students can explore environmental issues, formulate and find answers to questions about the environment, and explore "Cool Careers" for ideas about an environment-related job.

Where Can I Take My Computer?
Web sites and organizations that can provide information on opportunities for donating and recycling computers and other electronics.
http://www.epa.gov/epr/products/computers.html

Zip Code Search
Get specific environmental information about your neighborhood by entering your zipcode on this site.

 

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