By conducting field research, students will determine the extent of recycled and recyclable products available in their community. They will also consider market forces of supply and demand with respect to recycling.
This is one of 8 activities that can be found in PLT’s Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste. To get the activity, attend a training and receive PLT’s Municipal Solid Waste secondary module. Below are some supporting resources for this activity.
Download the copyright-free student pages that are included with this activity:
Recycling Data Form (PDF)
Costs and Revenues (PDF)
MSW Characteristics (PDF)
Classification of Recyclable and Compostable Materials (PDF)
Analysis of MSW (PDF)
Spanish Student Page(s):
Caracteristicas de MSW (PDF)
Analisis de MSW (PDF)
Formulario de Datos del Reciclaje (PDF)
Clasificacion de Materias que se Reciclan o que se Puedan Emplear para los Abonos (PDF)
Gastos e Ingresos (PDF)
The following tools and resources may be used to enhance the activity.
US EPA Facts and Figures About Materials, Waste and Recycling website has information on municipal solid waste in the United States. The data includes information on energy recovery and landfills as well.
We toss items into the trash every day – about 4.4 pounds per person per day, on average. With garbology, the study of waste, students can learn about waste reduction and steps they can take to reduce the amount of trash on the planet. This website’s interactive interface allows students to learn about the recycling, reusing, composting, and disposing of several everyday items.
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