Waste Breakdown Curriculum Activity

Suitable for Primary (Years 3-6)

Victorian Curriculum Links:

Science
3-4: (VCSSU056); (VCSSU060)
5-6:(VCSSU077)
Design & Technologies
3-4: (VCDSTC027)
5-6: (VCDSTC037)

Activity Description

The Waste Breakdown activity raises awareness of the time required for waste materials to break down and how this can take many years, especially in landfill where air, water and light are scarce. Students will look at different types of waste and are asked to associate the correct timeframe for it to break down in landfill. Students are then able to brainstorm some solutions and alternatives based on the 5Rs: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Key Concepts

Landfill, Food Waste, Plastics, Biodegradability, 5Rs (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

Key Learning Intentions

1. Understand how long items remain in landfill
2. Raise awareness of the rate of waste material breakdown
3. Build an understanding of the differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable items

Suggestions for Assessment

Formative
1. Participation in the Waste Breakdown activity
2. Participation in the Discussion questions below

Instructions

1. Brainstorm
Spend a few moments brainstorming the waste items that we commonly dispose of into landfill.

2. Put the timeline together
What happens once these items are in landfill? Look at the cards you’ve been given of various waste materials. Allocate each object to the correct time frame you think it would take for the item to break down in landfill.

3. Discussion
1. Refer to the list of objects below and categorise each according to whether they are biodegradable or non-biodegradable (Place a B next to the biodegradable objects and an NB next to the non-biodegradable objects).

Plastic bottle
Woollen socks
Aluminum can
Plastic coated paper
Orange peel
Plastic bag
Timber
Piece of paper

2. Which two categories are the fastest to break down? Provide one possible reason for why this is the case.

3. Choose one of the following objects and suggest ways we could Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse or Recycle this object:

Plastic bags
Aluminium can
Plastic bottle

Suggested ResourceSmart Schools Module Links

Undertaking the activity as described above links to the ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions B1.2, B1.3

Below is a list of extension activities that link to additional actions of the Waste module:

Students undertake a litter survey of the school grounds and estimate how long it will take for each piece of litter to break down in the environment (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions A1.2, B1.3)
Students undertake a general waste bin audit and create recommendations based on contamination and opportunities to minimise waste to landfill (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions A1.1, B1.3, C2.1)
Students run a Nude Food lunch day at school to raise awareness around packaging and waste.Follow up with a whole school community survey to investigate opportunities to hold these on an ongoing basis (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions A3.1, A3.2, B1.4, C1.2, C2.1)
Invite local indigenous group/s to share their perspectives on waste and traditional uses of resources within an ecosystem (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions B1.5, B1.6)
Students write a learning story about key findings of the activity and share in your school’s newsletter and website, including recommendations for waste minimisation at school and at home (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions C1.1, C1.3, C3.5)
Students undertake the Plastic Free July challenge to eliminate as much plastic from their lives at both school and at home, learning new skills to create their own products where possible (e.g. toothpaste, cleaning products, etc.). Include ideas and tips in the school newsletter throughout the month of the challenge (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions C3.3, C1.1, C1.3)
Run a drive at the school to collect materials for social support and/or charity. Items could include clothing, used furniture, bikes, toys and other goods (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions A6.3, C1.1, C3.3)
Start a phone drive or collection bin for electronic waste materials at the school. You can partake in projects such as Melbourne Zoo’s campaign ‘They’re Calling on You’ (ResourceSmart Schools Waste Module – actions C3.3, A6.3)