Lesson Plan: Plastic Bottle Planter

Students convert plastic bottles into small desktop planters while learning about waste management.

Author: Recycle Rally

Recycle Rally

Recycle Rally has partnered with EcoRise to bring you comprehensive, hands-on lessons focused on waste and recycling for grades K-12. Your students will love this hands-on upcycling lesson as they get an opportunity to create a desktop planter from a plastic bottle. Access the free lesson plan by clicking on the link below!

 

Details

 

Lesson 6.3: Plastic Bottle Planter

 

The purpose of this lesson (written for grades 9-10) is both to expose students to a meaningful, practical way to reuse a common waste product, and to raise awareness of the overuse of disposable water bottles. The simple act of converting a disposable bottle into a small desktop planter allows students to express themselves in a unique way. It also serves as a friendly point of entry for students who may be intimidated by the notion of collecting, sorting, and reusing trash. The end product also makes a great gift for teachers and staff!

 

Tip: Supplement the lesson with these additional upcycled planters:

  1. Hanging Planter
  2. Self-Watering Planter
  3. Multiple planters

Estimated time needed: 55 minutes

 

All lessons are mapped to CCSS, NGSS, EFS, and TEKS standards.

 

Objectives

 

Students will be able to…

  • Design and construct a self-watering planter using repurposed materials.
  • Explain how reusing materials can help us manage wastes.
  • Use repurposed materials to communicate a message about waste management.
  • Gain perspective about waste management by analyzing the impact that plastic bottles alone have.

 

How to Access the Free Lesson Plan

 

  • Click the link “Get Lesson Plan” below.
  • Select “I am a new user,” then enter your email address in the Username field.
  • Enter your full name and then check the “I agree” box.
  • Then, click on “Enroll in Course.”
  • Check your email for a link to set your password.

Get Lesson Plan
Was this useful?

Learn More

Recycle Rally

Recycle Rally is a free K-12 program that provides rewards and tools to help enhance recycling at your school!

Explore now

Additional Resources

Our comprehensive library of resources was designed to inspire the next generation of green leaders.

Explore now