Resources for Teachers

Recycling

Project Learning Tree
http://www.plt.org/
Gain access to various lesson plans on environmental topics such as Municipal Solid Waste, or apply for the GreenWorks grant to further your school’s green efforts.

Green Up Our Schools - Recycling Facts
http://www.greenupourschools.org/recyclingfacts.pdf
How many times can aluminum be recycled? Why should we avoid putting materials in landfills? How many trees are saved from recycling paper? Learn all this and more in our exclusive guide, written especially for elementary school teachers!

Recycle City
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm
Check out the EPA’s interactive Recycle City (formerly Dump Town) where teachers and students can learn about recycling and waste reduction. Kids can play computer games and teachers can read through ideas on how to incorporate them into the classroom.

American Forest and Paper Association
http://www.paperrecycles.org/school_recycling/index.html
Learn how to motivate kids to recycle, including a video on how to make your own paper as a classroom activity. Plenty of other activities are available in addition to lesson plans for teachers.

Kids Recycle
www.kidsrecycle.org/
This site features lots of great links to information on becoming Zero Waste for both students and teachers. Download guides on recycling, reducing trash at school, and how to compost in the classroom.

King County Kids’ Natural Resources Page
http://www.metrokc.gov/dnr/kidsweb/index.htm
Learn where recycling goes after you put it in the bin, or find out how a landfill works. Great informational site on the waste process.

Reduce/Reuse

Kids Konserve
www.kidskonserve.com
Kids Konserve aims to empower children and parents with information and a reusable product that will help educate about the importance of reuse and not filling up community landfills, via launching our school Awareness Program and Waste-Free Lunch Challenges.

Trash Matcher
http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/matchtmp.html
This site lists different trash items and creative ways to make art out of them. Full materials lists and directions provided.

Waste Free Lunch
www.wastefreelunches.org
Learn how to pack a waste-free lunch and read through success stories from schools who have tried it before you.

Reuse Art
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/4054/Reuse.htm
See a list of art reuse projects or get some great tips on how to come up with your own.

Composting

School Composting - A guide for Connecticut schools
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/compost/compost_pdf/schmanual.pdf
A comprehensive guide to school composting systems, complete with pictures and steyp-by-step instructions for constructing your own bins.

Cornell Composting
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/schools.html
The best, most comprehensive teachers’ guide to composting on the web. Learn about indoor/outdoor composting, large/small scale composting, wooden bins vs. wire bins, etc. You’ll also find lesson plans and labs that explain the various invertebrate organisms involved in the composting process and great science fair project ideas.

Vermicomposting Guide for Teachers (PDF)
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Publications/default.asp?pubid=912
This guide provides teachers with information on how to start and maintain a successful classroom worm bin. Includes the basics of vermicomposting, worm bin building plans, troubleshooting and fundraising tips, classroom activities, and useful case studies of other successful vermicomposting programs.

Worm Woman
www.wormwoman.com
From the author of the book “Worms Eat My Garbage,” order books, read articles, and watch videos about worm composting.

Composting with Red Wiggler Worms
www.cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html
This has basic information on composting with worms, how to set up a compost bin, and links to companies that sell worms for composting.