WOW in Curriculum.pdf - Wipe Out Waste - WOW

Conduct a Paper / Cardboard Audit or Survey to
identify the following:
▼ paper / cardboard use and waste (likely to include
canteen, staff / administration areas, classrooms)
▼ the quantities in these locations
▼ recycling practices and collection facilities.
Design, promote and implement a plan to reduce paper
use and recycle paper / cardboard in your school.
Investigate school waste items that can, and are,
collected for recycling by local businesses or the local
council. Conduct a Bin Survey to map the location of
recycling bins / boxes in the school. Discuss your fi ndings
and make recommendations for improving school waste
management policies and systems. Consider strategies
such as painting and / or labelling recycle bins, creating
posters and education campaigns to reduce contamination
of recycling collections.
Compare renewable and non-renewable resources
and explain the role of recycling in conserving these.
Investigate the energy used (including transport) to
produce a product made from recycled material compared
with a similar / identical product made from virgin material
/ resources. Does the purchase price refl ect the energy /
transport costs? Examine products purchased within the
school to determine if recycled options (eg stationery and
toilet paper) are feasible.
Distinguish between ‘closed-loop’ recycling and
‘open-loop’ recycling. Explore some of the issues
associated with recycling (eg collection system,
contamination, lack of markets, cost). Report on any
business support and incentives provided by government
to promote increased recycling. Which businesses
/ industries in your area would benefi t from these
opportunities?
Suggested Learning Activities
Middle / Senior Years
Investigate ‘Design for Recycling’ (DfR) principles
used in the manufacture of large items (eg cars and
furniture). Design a functional everyday item that can
be easily disassembled for recycling. How could this be
developed into a school enterprise opportunity?
Research the environmental, social and fi nancial
costs and benefi ts of recycling e-waste, compared to
disposing of it in landfi ll. Who do you believe should
be responsible for these costs (ie buyer, distributor or
manufacturer)? What factors do you consider in deciding
whether to recycle or send a product to landfi ll, and why?
How can consumers be encouraged to act in a sustainable
way?
Research innovations which enable materials
diverted from landfi ll to be used in new ways (eg alternative
fuels, oil recovery, demolition materials). Include your
fi ndings in a brochure for the local community.
Recyclable items found in School Solid Waste Audit
WOW - Wipe Out Waste: A program of Zero Waste SA delivered by KESAB environmental solutions
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