National Recycling Week
By 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. The ratio of plastic weight to fish weight in the ocean was 1:5 in 2014, which is expected to change to 1:1 by 2050. Apart from fish being the most affected by this, it has been estimated that nearly all of the world's seabirds have eaten plastic at some point in their life. Plastic recycling is an extremely important value that needs to be taught to kids to engage them in active recycling practice at school and at home.
To highlight the importance of recycling, National Recycling Week takes place during the second week of November every year.
Activity Options
Plastic Free Lunch
Encourage students to bring lunch that does not have any plastic waste or that minimizes plastic waste. Advise students to bring reusable lunch boxes and water bottles. This would also result in healthier food options for students with less prepackaged snack food and more fresh food.
Planet Ark
National Recycling Week was established by Planet Ark in 1996 and they provide links to information and resources in your local areas to support their aim to unite people, businesses and governments through positive environmental actions.
Talking Points
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What can be recycled?
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Where does the plastic go?
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The impacts of not recycling plastic
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The effect on sea life of consuming plastic.
Resources
There are plenty of tools and ideas to help your students get involved in National Recycling Week. Click below to access them.
Presenting your Aussie of the Month during National Recycling Week
To help present the award, you could invite:
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A member of the local council
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An environmentalist
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An environmental science student from your local university
