Teach Students About Recycling Contamination With This Video

Have you ever wondered what happens if you toss an item into the recycling bin that shouldn’t be there? Recycling contamination is a big hurdle in making recycling work. Teach students more with the video below.

 

What is recycling contamination?

 

 

1 in 4 items that wind up in recycling bins shouldn’t be there. Recycling contamination happens when we:

• Don’t empty containers or jars.
• Toss non-recyclables into the recycling bin.

Recycling contamination costs the U.S. $300 million each year! It makes recycling really hard. It means our recyclables may have to go to the landfill, or that the machines we use to help us recycle break. It’s also a misuse of our time, and the environment suffers.

 

So when you’re done with something, make sure you put it in the right place. The right bin matters!

 

Additional Resources

 

Use these resources in conjunction with the recycling contamination video to help kids learn what they can and can’t recycle.

 

Videos: Can I Recycle That?

 

These videos help students learn which items they can and can’t recycle. Watch them to understand how you can recycle properly and avoid contaminating the system.

 

• Plastic Bottles and Jugs
• Cardboard
• Metal Containers
• Flat Plastics
• Glass
• Mixed Paper
• Plastic Bags
• Aluminum

Lesson Plans and Games

 

Use these plans and games with your students to explore why it’s so important to avoid contaminating the recycling system. They’ll help kids learn the right way to recycle every day.

 

• Lesson Plan: What Items Can You Recycle?
• Lesson Plan: Where Does Our Waste Go?
• 12 School Displays That Teach What’s Recyclable
• Recycle Sorting Game
• Recycling Quiz Game

Looking for more ideas and information? Be sure to check out our Recycling Resources library. It’s full of activities and articles for parents, teachers, and students of all ages. You can sort by grade, subject level, and more to find exactly what you’re looking for!