Which Bag Should You Use?
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Provided by: TED-Ed|Published on: April 27, 2021
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This TED-Ed video compares paper, plastic, and cloth bags to determine which one is the best for the environment.
- Students will learn that the environmental impact of an object, like a bag, is determined by how an object is produced, if it can be reused (and for how long), if it can be recycled, and if it is biodegradable.
Subjects: Social Studies, Biology, Engineering
Authors: Luka Seamus Wright, Imogen Ellen Napper
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video will inspire students to consider all of the environmental factors that go into choosing the right shopping bag.
- The colorful animations will keep students engaged.
Additional Prerequisites
- The link labeled "landfills" in the Dig Deeper section is broken.
- Teachers must create a free account to use the interactive Think and Discuss sections.
Differentiation
- Before watching the video, teachers could ask students which type of bag they think is best for the environment and why. After the video, students could discuss the following questions:
- Did the video make you think differently about the environmental impact of shopping bags? Why?
- Will you change your habits as a consumer?
- Do you think the information in the video would influence people's buying habits? Why or why not?
- How can mindful consumers help fight climate change?
- Civics classes could discuss laws that ban stores from providing single-use plastic bags to customers.
- Other resources on this topic include this activity for building a reusable bag stand, this video on plastic pollution, and this video on the environmental impact of manufacturing a pair of jeans.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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