12 Big and Small Ideas To Bring Recycling Into the Classroom

It is simple to incorporate recycling into your classroom’s regular routine. Before you know it, recycling will come naturally to your pupils when you incorporate one or more of these activities into your daily schedule. Recycling teaches people to create sustainability as a lifelong habit, and you may demonstrate to them the importance of even tiny activities!

1. Have an upcycling challenge

Students should be encouraged to consider upcycling items from their homes or classrooms. Students are more likely to take similar actions in the future if they are encouraged to breathe fresh life into things, like this Guess Who board.

2. Combine Earth Month with Poetry Month

You are aware that they are in the same month. Yes, they both take place in April, so we believe this is a fantastic reason to combine the two. Give your students a task: write a poem on recycling. This Inspired Elementary haiku exercise is one of our favourites.

3. Research programs that handle more challenging recyclables

Students witness the recycling of paper, plastic bottles, and aluminium cans on a daily basis. But what about things like outdated devices, batteries, and damaged crayons? First, split the class up into smaller groups and give each group a list of goods that are more difficult to recycle. Next, ask them to do some research to find out how those things can be recycled. They can provide a class presentation of their findings as their last task. Check out the National Crayon Recycle Programme for this one.

 4. Play bingo and learn as you go

Use this printable Recycling Bingo Game to practise sorting recyclables from rubbish. Just follow the bingo cards! A creative project that teaches children the fundamentals of recycling.

5. Hold a trick shot contest

This Trick Shot Recycling video with instructor Jonathan Hodge will always hold a special place in our hearts. It’s a lot of fun to gather recycled objects and attempt to take trick photographs with them. This video features some really amazing ones!

6. Create a prize bag of upcycled items

Sure! Here’s a prize bag filled with upcycled items:

1. Tote Bag made from Upcycled Denim: A stylish and sturdy tote bag made from upcycled denim jeans. It’s not only eco-friendly but also fashionable.
2. Glass Bottle Vase: A beautiful vase made from a repurposed glass bottle. It’s perfect for displaying flowers or as a standalone decorative piece.
3. Upcycled Paper Notebook: A notebook with covers made from upcycled paper materials. It’s great for jotting down notes, sketches, or creative ideas.
4. Candle Holder from Tin Cans: A unique candle holder crafted from recycled tin cans. It adds a rustic touch to any room when lit with a candle.
5. Handcrafted Keychain from Bicycle Chain: A keychain made from repurposed bicycle chain links. It’s a cool and durable accessory for your keys.
6. Fabric Scrap Coasters: Set of coasters made from upcycled fabric scraps. They’re not only functional but also add a pop of color to your coffee table.
7. Upcycled Jewelry: A piece of jewelry made from repurposed materials like old buttons, beads, or metal scraps. Each piece is unique and environmentally friendly.
8. Upcycled Glass Jar Herb Garden Kit: A kit containing everything you need to start your own herb garden in upcycled glass jars. It’s a sustainable way to grow fresh herbs at home.
9. Recycled Plastic Bottle Planters: Mini planters made from recycled plastic bottles. They’re perfect for small indoor plants like succulents or herbs.
10. Upcycled Wooden Picture Frame: A charming picture frame made from reclaimed wood. It’s ideal for displaying your favorite photos or artwork.

This prize bag not only encourages sustainability but also showcases the creativity and beauty that can arise from repurposing materials.

7. Upcycle plastic containers

Plastic containers abound in the house and can be used as organisers and other purposes. Give your students the task of searching their houses and recycling bins for items that can be repurposed or upcycled. For example, a plastic bottle may be swiftly converted into a vase, a yoghurt container can be used as a planter or a holder for crayons, and baby wipe containers can hold almost anything that comes in the classroom.

8. Hold a recycling poster contest

Posters created by children can convey a powerful message. Encourage your pupils to utilise their creativity to inspire others by holding a create-a-poster contest. Discuss with the students what you believe the posters will accomplish for the school and get their opinion on where the posters should go.

9. Create your own infographics to hang in the classroom

Infographics are entertaining ways to display significant information. Put pupils in small groups and ask them to look up recycling-related information and data. Next, provide a challenge for them to make an infographic of their own that visually represents what they have learnt.

10. Commit to zero waste

Form a group to push your school to strive for zero waste at all activities, including field days, assemblies, and class picnics. Speak with district representatives about implementing a zero-waste policy in your school cafeteria. Give pupils the zero waste guide to give to their families at home.

11. Start a Green Club

At your school, Green Clubs are a fantastic method to highlight environmental activism. Starting your own may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Start small: a few committed students and a single goal are all that are needed to start a group. See the following website for some incredibly useful suggestions.

12. Welcome worms into your classroom

Worms, what? Indeed. Composting with red wiggler worms is known as vermicomposting. In summary, the worms consume waste and transform it into beautiful, nutrient-rich compost; in other words, they are undoubtedly recycling in some capacity. The youngsters will adore this intriguing activity, which you can start in a comparatively tiny space.