Margaret D. Andrews
Objectives
Students will collect litter from an environment close to them. They will discuss possible sources of the litter and list possible solutions to the problem.
Students will test the biodegradability of some of the litter found.
Materials
plastic gloves
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trash bags
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paper
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plastic bag (small)
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pencils
Thoughts and Ideas to Consider Before You Begin
What does the phrase “throw away society” mean?
List some phrases and slogans that are products of our current throw away society.
ie... “Chuck it”, “One use only”.
Would people be more or less likely to litter if the area was already clean?
How does litter effect the soil?
Where does it eventually go?
Procedures
Divide the class into teams of about four students. Give each team a plastic bag, and every student plastic gloves. (remind them that they should not pick up any broken glass or syringes.) Send them away to collect for 20Ð30 minutes.
When they return ask them to move the garbage from one bag to another and make a list of what they have collected.
They can then return to the classroom to answer the following questions:
1.
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What are the most common objects and materials in the litter that was collected?
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2.
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How should these kinds of things have been disposed of?
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3.
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Where is the nearest trash container in which they could have been placed?
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4.
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What can be said to people who litter that might make them change their ways about litter?
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Evaluation
Go back to the area where you collected trash a few days later. As a group you should have the students answer the following questions:
1.
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What is your reaction to what you observe?
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2.
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Where is the problem the worst?
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3.
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Where is the container for trash?
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4.
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Is the location an effective one?
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5.
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How can the container be made more attractive?
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