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Kids learning about recycling

School Programs - Grade K to 8

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Learn about the five ‘R’s (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover), proper sorting, and other topics related to waste management. This includes lesson plans and resources connected to the Ontario Curriculum.   

Durham's Five 'R's

Watch our video and learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources.

Rethink

Students will learn about the first “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy – Rethink. Rethink requires us to consider the products we bring home including how products were produced, where the materials came from, and if they are sustainable.

Course Module
  • Rethink
Lesson Plans

Kindergarten

  • Growing food from kitchen scraps. Don't toss it - plant it!

Grade 2

  • A look at natural resources (Social Studies)
    • Worksheet: Read the provided scenarios and explain how they are an example of rethinking waste

Grade 5

  • Mock parliamentary committee meeting (Social Studies)

Grade 7

  • Analyze the production process of a popular household item (Geography)
Resources
 Infographics
  • 5Rs in Waste Hierarchy 
  • What is a Circular Economy
 Videos

Watch our videos below to compliment the lesson plans on rethink:

  • Learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources
  • Rethink is the first "R" in the Region's Waste Management Hierarchy

  • Watch and learn how waste management in Durham Region includes a circular economy

Reduce

Students will learn about Reduce, the second “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy. Reducing the amount of waste that we create decreases the amount of waste that needs to be managed and/or requires disposal – protecting the environment and our community.

Course Module 
  •  Reduce
Lesson Plans

Kindergarten

  • Waste free lunch
    • Worksheet: Circle each waste free lunch option in the picture provided

Grade 1

  • Food waste reduction (Science and Technology and Social Studies)
    • Worksheet: Draw a picture showing how you can reduce food waste

Grade 2

  • Reviewing waste generation in the classroom (Math and Social Studies)

Grade 5

  • Product packaging challenge (Science and Technology)

Grade 7

  • Carry your waste challenge (Geography)
Resources
 Infographics
  • Learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources
  • What is a Circular Economy
 Videos

Watch our videos below to compliment the lesson plans on reduce:

  • Learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources
  • View our Food Waste Prevention Playlist
  • Reduce is the second "R" in the Region's Waste Management Hierarchy
  • Watch and learn how waste management in Durham Region includes a circular economy

Reuse

Students will learn about Reuse, the third “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy. Reuse is a great way to divert materials away from the waste stream, decreasing the amount of waste that needs to be managed or disposed of as garbage.

Course Module
  • Reuse
Lesson Plans

Kindergarten

  • Repurposing blue box material

Grade 1

  • Community helpers and waste management in our community (Social Studies)

Grade 4

  • Book swap (Social Studies)
    • Book swap slip

Grade 5

  • Making a reusable bag from an old t-shirt (The Arts)

Grade 8

  • Settlement patterns and sustainability (Geography)
Resources
 Infographics
  • Learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources
  • What is a Circular Economy
 Videos

Watch our videos below to compliment the lesson plans on reuse:

  • Learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources
  • View our Food Waste Prevention Playlist
  • Watch and learn how waste management in Durham Region includes a circular economy

Recycle

Recycle is the fourth “R” in the Region’s Waste Management Hierarchy, after Rethink, Reduce and Reuse. Recycle is an important step in the waste hierarchy but should be considered only after applying other alternatives. It is the last attempt to keep items out of the garbage bag and should be done after the other Rs have been used. Students will learn about the Region’s Blue Box recycling program and how they can participate for a cleaner, greener future.

Course Module
  •  Recycle
Lesson Plans

Kindergarten

  • Sort it out
    • Worksheet: Cut and past items into the correct blue box

Grade 1

  • Sort it out - Recyclable materials and the Blue Box Program (Science and Technology and Social Studies)
    • Worksheet 1: Circle the items that do not belong in the blue box
    • Worksheet 2: Cut and past items into the correct blue box
    • Worksheet 3: Design the side of a recycling truck

Grade 3

  • What new items can be made from the materials you plan in your blue box? (Social Studies)
    • Worksheet 1: Know before you throw 
    • Worksheet 2: Research assignment

Grade 4

  • Minerals in your home and school (Science and Technology)
    • Worksheet: Match the words with the correct definitions

Grade 5

  • Life cycle analysis of a common plastic waster bottle (Science and Technology)
    • Worksheet: Life cycle analysis of a common plastic water bottle

Grade 7

  • Make a musical instrument out of materials found in the blue box and compose a jingle (The Arts)
Resources
 Infographics
  • 5Rs in Waste Hierarchy 
  • What is a Circular Economy
 Videos

Watch our videos below to compliment the lesson plans on recycle:

  • Learn how Durham Region Waste uses the five 'R's to reduce waste and preserve valuable resources
  • View our Food Waste Prevention Playlist
  • Benefits of Recycling
  • Prevent litter by preparing your recycling in these quick steps
  • Durham Region's Material Recovery Facility
  • Watch and learn how waste management in Durham Region includes a circular economy

Recover

Even after applying the first four “Rs”, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, we still end up producing garbage. In the past, this garbage went to landfill. Today, Durham Region no longer relies on landfills as our primary way to dispose of garbage. That’s where the fifth “R” comes in, Recover. Students will learn how the Region is recovering valuable resources that remain in our garbage and how recovery benefits the environment and our community.

Course Module
  •  Recover
Lesson Plans

Grade 1

  • Energy makes things happen! (Science and Technology)

Grade 4

  • Force: Removing metals at the Durham York Energy Centre (Science and Technology)

Grade 5 and 6

  • Forms of energy - energy from waste (Science and Technology)
Resources
 Videos

Watch our videos below to compliment the lesson plans on recover:

  • What happens to your garbage once it leaves the curb
  • Durham York Energy Centre virtual tour
  • Durham York Energy Centre process overview
Websites
  • Durham Region Waste Management
  • Durham York Energy Centre

Compost

Composting is the process of turning organic material into a nutrient rich, soil-like material. Students will learn about what materials are compostable, how the material is processed, and explore how compost can reduce waste for disposal while creating a valuable material that can be used on lawns and in gardens.  

Course Module 
  •  Compost
Lesson Plans

Kindergarten

  • Compost in a jar

Grade 1 and 3

  • Using compost to grow plants from seeds (Science and Technology)

Grade 2

  • Food in our community (Social Studies)

Grade 4

  • What's in your compost? (Science and Technology)
    • Worksheet: What's in your compost?
    • Resource: The Soil Food Web

Grade 6

  • Can food waste change Earth's climate? (Social Studies)

Grade 7

  • Research and construct a compost food web (Science and Technology)
Resources
 Videos

Watch our videos below to compliment the lesson plans on compost:

  • How to properly participate in the green bin program – “The Basics”
  • Helpful tips to make green bin use easier – Addressing the “Yuck” Factor
  • Backyard Composting for beginners
 Websites
  • Durham Region Waste Management
  • Composting Council of Canada

Request a Waste Management Presentation

Are you interested in a general or topic specific presentation? We would love to chat how we can help support waste education through virtual opportunities.

Request a presentation

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