WOW in Curriculum.pdf - Wipe Out Waste - WOW

Work in groups to investigate the reuse of items /
materials within the school. Prepare a Reuse Report for
one area (classroom, canteen, art, book room) which
includes potential opportunities for your whole school
community to reduce waste by conserving, sharing
or swapping resources. Present your report to the
appropriate school authority.
Investigate how items that are no longer required
at school or home can be reused in the community (eg
charity donation of goods, second-hand / antique shops,
‘hand-me-downs’, markets and garage sales). Organise
a school event such as the collection of items for a charity
or a student ’Trash and Treasure’ swap.
Computer Recycling Scheme (CRS)
Research waste practices in your home or school
to develop a ‘Zero Waste’ message. Reuse a range
of collected waste materials to create a two or threedimensional
presentation to communicate this message
in your community.
Debate the merits of using hand towels, paper towels
or air dryers in school toilets. How will you present your
arguments to the whole school community?
Suggested Learning Activities
Middle / Senior Years
Investigate current stationery management
practices at your school and prepare a report for
presentation to relevant school groups. Include possible
changes and recommendations to reduce the number
of items purchased, save money and reduce waste.
Consider the following:
▼ double-sided paper use
▼ unused pages in exercise books
▼ use of plastic sleeves to cover exercise books
▼ refi llable pens and lead pencils
▼ glue, paint, art / craft supplies (bulk purchasing,
sharing resources)
▼ class stationery sets eg coloured pencils, scissors,
rulers, erasers etc.
▼ class text book sets.
We live in a ‘throw-away society’. Research this term and
others including ‘disposable’, ‘durability’, ‘obsolescence’,
‘shelf-life’, ‘fashion’ and ‘convenience’. Discuss values
associated with consumerism / capitalism. How are these
values refl ected in purchasing practices at school and in
your home?
Research biodegradability standards for plastics.
What measures might you adopt in your school or at home
to avoid using items that are slow to degrade? How might
this information affect your purchasing practices?
Smart paper use at school!
WOW - Wipe Out Waste: A program of Zero Waste SA delivered by KESAB environmental solutions
4