Why You're Recycling Wrong
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Civics, Engineering
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 →
Provided by Vox
What it is
- This Vox video explores how difficult it is for people to decide what to recycle and what not to recycle.
- It shows people's habits when it comes to recycling, the varying recycling programs in the United States, and the lessons learned in order to prevent recycling contamination and aspirational recycling.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Through the questions asked in the video, students will understand that it mirrors their reality and will try to think about a solution and reflect on the lesson at the end of the video.
- Students can carry the simple message, "When in doubt, throw it out," throughout their recycling journey.
Prerequisites
- Students must be familiar with the recycling process and because recycling varies by location, you should get familiar with what is and is not recyclable in your area.
- There may be an ad at the beginning of the video.
Differentiation & Implementation
- The teacher can start by posing the same question about what to do with a disposable cup to the students to find out about their recycling habits.
- Students can develop an action plan defining how they can positively influence recycling in their communities as ambassadors for recycling.
- In social studies classes, teachers can use this video to create a "What do we do with our waste?" chart for a lesson about recycling.
- Other resources related to this topic include Sea of Plastic and Zero Food Waste Challenge.
From the scientist review
This resource is a 4-minute video that examines the complexity of deciding what materials are recyclable and which are garbage. The influence of single-stream recycling is briefly presented, and some actions to improve the situation are presented. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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