The 3 Rs

REuse, REduce, REcycle

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

WASTE
ALL ABOUT WASTE.
Waste has been a major environmental issue everywhere since the industrial revolution. Besides the waste
we create at home, school and other public places, there are also those from hospitals, industries, farms
and other sources. Humans rely so much on material things and they all (almost) end up as waste.
And hey, where does the waste end up?

WHAT IS WASTE?

(TRASH, GARBAGE, RUBBISH, REFUSE)

Waste are items we (individuals, offices, schools, industries, hospitals) dont need and discard. Sometimes
there are things we have that the law requires us to discard because they can be harmful. Waste comes
in infinite sizessome can be as small as an old toothbrush, or as large as the body of a school bus.

Everyone creates waste, although some people are very environmentally conscious and create very little.
Likewise, some countries do a very good job creating less waste and managing the rest. Others are pretty horrible and have created huge environmental problems for the people and animals living there.
All over the world, communities handle their waste or trash differently. Some common methods of managing their waste include landfilling, recycling and composting. Other communities strongly embark on waste
reduction and litter prevention/control aimed at reducing the production of waste in the first place.

DID YOU KNOW?

Europe creates about over 1.8 billion tonnes of waste each year. This means each
person creates about 3.5tonnes on average.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

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TYPES OF WASTE
Generally, waste could be liquid or solid waste. Both of them could be hazardous. Liquid and solid waste
types can also be grouped into organic, re-usable and recyclable waste. Lets see some details below:

LIQUID TYPE
Waste can come in non-solid form. Some solid waste can also be converted to a
liquid waste form for disposal. It includes point source and non-point source
discharges such as storm water and wastewater. Examples of liquid waste include wash water from homes, liquids used for cleaning in industries and waste
detergents.

SOLID TYPE
Solid waste predominantly, is any garbage, refuse or rubbish that we make in our
homes and other places. These include old car tires, old newspapers, broken furniture and even food waste. They may include any waste that is non-liquid.

HAZARDOUS TYPE
Hazardous or harmful wastes are those that potentially threaten
public health or the environment. Such waste could be inflammable (can easily catch fire), reactive (can easily explode), corrosive (can easily eat through metal) or toxic (poisonous to human
and animals). In many countries, it is required by law to involve the
appropriate authority to supervise the disposal of such hazardous
waste. Examples include fire extinguishers, old propane tanks, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (e.g, thermostats) and lamps
(e.g. fluorescent bulbs) and batteries.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2010, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and recycled and composted
over 85 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.1 percent recycling rate. On average,
they recycled and composted 1.51 pounds out of the individual waste generation of 4.43
pounds per person per day. EPA, USA.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

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ORGANIC TYPE:
Organic waste comes from plants or animals sources. Commonly, they include food
waste, fruit and vegetable peels, flower
trimmings and even dog poop can be classified as organic waste. They are biodegradable (this means they are easily broken down by other organisms over time
and turned into manure). Many people turn
their organic waste into compost and use
them in their gardens.

RECYCLABLE TYPE:
Recycling is processing used materials (waste) into new, useful products. This is done to reduce the use of raw materials that would have been used. Waste that can be potentially recycled is termed "Recyclable waste". Aluminum products (like soda, milk and tomato cans), Plastics (grocery
shopping bags, plastic bottles), Glass products (like wine
and beer bottles, broken glass), Paper products (used envelopes, newspapers and magazines, cardboard boxes) can be
recycled and fall into this category.

DID YOU KNOW?

Food waste includes leftover portions of meals from food preparation activities in kitchens,
restaurants and fast food chains, and cafeteria. The amount of food waste generated has
increased by 1.2 million tons in the last 25 years, this is one of the lowest increases on a
percentage basis of any component of the waste stream.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

WASTE
Read the information about waste and answer the statements.
1.

Waste has been a major environmental issue everywhere since the industrial revolution
A. Yes, its true
B. No, the major environmental issue is recycling.

2.

Everyone creates waste, although some people are very environmentally conscious and create very
little.
A. False, not everyone creates waste.
B. True, we need to be very environmentally conscious and create less waste.

3.

If you want to reduce waste, what should you do?

A. Buy lots of disposable products
B. Live in the countryside
C. Buy things that you can use again and again.

4.

How many types of waste are there?

A. 5, liquid, solid, hazardous, organic and recycled
B. 2, organic and recycled
C. 3, liquid, solid and hazardous

5.

The amount of food waste generated has increased by _________ in the last 25 years,
A. 120 million tons
B. 1.2 million tons
C. 12 million tons

6.

If you reduce waste, what happens?

A. You conserve valuable resources
B. You save money
C. You help the environment
D. All of the above

7.

Recycling is processing _________ into new, useful products

A. Hazardous materials
B. Solid materials
C. Used materials (waste)
D. That process is called reusing, not recycling

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

the Waste Hierarchy

The 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and Disposal are organized in a hierarchy, or order of importance. The
first goal is to REDUCE the amount of waste we generate. If we use less stuff, we reduce the amount
of waste produced.
When waste does occur, the next level in the hierarchy is to REUSE items. The reuse of items does not
require the expense of energy or new materials because the manufacturing process is not involved.
If waste items cannot be reused, the next level is RECYCLING. For example, paper can be recycled to
produce new paper. Glass can be recycled to produce new bottles or kitchen tile. Recycling conserves
natural resources, reduces air and water pollution and saves energy.
Finally, throwing an item that cannot be recycled, DISPOSAL (Incinerator or Landfill), into the waste
bin should be our last option, as it has a negative impact on the environment and costs money.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

REDUCE
The best thing you could do to minimise your waste, is not creating it in the first place. By doing so, you
will be saving natural resources, reducing your negative impact in our environment, and saving money
(remember that your schools pays a fee to the Council to get your waste collected!) Some ways to
reduce waste include buying products with minimal packaging, using a cloth bag instead of paper or plastic
and buying durable products with a longer life span
Can you think about other ways to reduce waste? Discuss with your partner and write down 2 examples
about how to REDUCE. Later you will share them with the
class.
A good idea is to
What do you think

buy dish soap in

about reducing?

You can follow the example.

concentrate forms

A good idea
I think than we
We should
Why not

Is to
Can

buy
avoid
use

Cloth bags
Rechargeable
In bulk
used

To do the shopping
Batteries
Of recycled materials
Rather than individual packages
instead of new

example 1:
example 2:

REDUCING TIPS:
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS: If you are not using something, turn it off. Lights, CD players, computers, TV sets, and other electronics use a lot of energy. Make sure you are conserving by shutting off
lights and turning off stuff that needs electricity when you are not in the room.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

REUSE
Think twice before your discard something, maybe you can use it again; or, if you no longer need it, it
may be useful for somebody else. You can reuse at your school by having scrap paper draws to use both
sides of the papers. Or donating unwanted items to a charity.

What do you think

about reusing?

Why not to donate

old toys to the
school nursery

Can you think about other ways to reuse waste? Discuss with
your partner and write down 2 examples about how to REUSE.
Later you will share them with the class.
You can follow the example

A good idea
I think than we
We should
Why not

Turn off
Is to
Can

buy
donate
Use

Toys
Lights
Books
Second hand
Reusing

clothes
Books
To the hospital
The public library
after leaving a place
Ink cartridges

example 1:
example 2:

REUSING TIPS:
USE CLOTH NAPKINS AND WASHABLE PLATES. When eating at home or on vacation, bring reusable plates and napkins. Check to see if there is a way to wash plates and napkins when you get back
home, instead of buying paper and plastic that gets thrown away after one use.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

RECLICLE
Recycling is processing used materials (waste) into new, useful products. This is done to reduce the use of
raw materials that would have been used. Recycling also uses less energy and and great way of controlling
air, water and land pollution.
Effective recycling starts with household (or the place where the waste was created). In many serious
countries, the authorities help households with bin bags with labels on them. Households then sort out
the waste themselves and place them in the right bags for collection. This makes the work less
difficult.

RECYCLING IS BENEFICIAL IN MANY WAYS

INCLUDING:
Recycling helps protect the environment:
This is because the recyclable waste materials would
have been burned or ended up in the landfill. Pollution
of the air, land, water and soil is reduced.
Recycling conserves natural resources:
Recycling more waste means that we do not depend
too much on raw (natural) resources, which are already
massively depleted.
Recycling saves energy:
It takes more energy to produce items with raw materials than from recycling used materials. This means
we are more energy efficient and the prices of products can come down.
Recycling creates jobs:
People are employed to collect, sort and work in recycling companies. Others also get jobs with businesses
that work with these recycling units.

RECYCLING TIPS:
USE CLOTH NAPKINS AND WASHABLE PLATES. When eating at home or on vacation, bring reusable plates and napkins. Check to see if there is a way to wash plates and napkins when you get back
home, instead of buying paper and plastic that gets thrown away after one use.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

1. In this first activity, use the Answer Bank below to fill in the blanks with the correct
key words. Remember, the words in the Answer Bank can only be used once, and they are
mixed up, so you have to hunt to find the right one for each blank.

Why We Already Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Many of

you might already know that the three Rs -reduce,
reuse, and __________- are the most important
ways for kids like us to prevent our trash from
harming the Earth. When we think of ways to reuse
our stuff or when we collect it for the recycling
bin instead of throwing it in the garbage can, we
help keep our ___________(including the air, water, and soil) healthy. For example, when we recycle,
less garbage will pile up in those big holes in the
ground, called _________
In addition, when we reuse our old things instead of buying new products, like reusing an
old jelly jar as a pencil holder, we help keep the air clean. In other words, because were
reusing our old products, factories dont have to make as many new products, which will
save energy and reduce the amount of ___________ that factories release into the
air.

The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

2. Name these recyclable items. Choose the names from the box.

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

3. Colour the recyclables items in the boxes of this page. Then cut them out and
paste them into the proper recycling bins on the other page

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

4. Lets do some practice about the 3 Rs.

THE RUBBISH CHALLENGE COMPUTER GAME
Please, read carefully the following instructions
1. In pairs choose a coputer and go to http://www.recyclezone.org.uk/
2. Go to the FUN ZONE option
3. Choose the option RUBBISH CHALLENGE
4. Click on enter
5. Click on the words how to play and follow the instructions
At the end of the activity you have to complete the following table giving
viable solutions (reduce, reuse, recycle) to each of the items.
ITEM
Crisp packet
Milk bottle
Tin can
Old newspaper
Piece of fish
Eggs box
Cola can
Old toy (car)
Apple core
Old coat

VIABLE OPTIONS

ITEM
Old magazine
Wine bottle
Cardboard box
Paper cup
Old toy
Egg shell
Empty jam jar
Old t-shirt
Banana skin
Chicken leg

VIABLE OPTIONS

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

5. Discuss with your partner the best answer for these ideas about taking actions against waste at home and at school. Write them down. You can use more
than one if its possible.

Some ideas on reducing, reusing and recycling waste

The 3 Rs

Place scrap paper trays in every room that uses paper and promote them!
Set up double-sided printing by default in every computer.
Have a compost bin and at your school
Check if local schools, children centres, nurseries, community centres, or
other organisations need items that you do not use anymore.
Everyone will think twice before printing! Avoid printing mistakes!
Advertise your unwanted items on Internet, maybe someone can find
them a second life.
Give parents the option to receive newsletters and other school information
by email.
Why not set up a mailing list to share unwanted items?
Install air hand driers rather than paper towels in toilets.
When shopping, avoid suppliers with excessive packaging, and buy in bulk.
Donate to charities and NGOs your old toys and other items to schools in
developing countries.
Too much scrap paper? Why not taking it to nursery, reception and early
years? They will be delighted to have your scrap paper!
Rethink portion sizes, if children are given too much food they won't eat it
If some furniture is broken, repair it instead of replacing it when possible.
Save and share documents electronically rather than printing them.

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

6. Search for the words in the list below within the puzzle. Circle each word as you find it
and cross it off the list. Words can be found going in any direction in the puzzle - up, down,
diagonally, across and backward!

AEROSOL
S
CONTAINER
ONS
JUICE CART

ALUMINIUM
CANS
N
EGG CARTO
MAGAZINES
TOILET ROLL

CARDBOARD

CANS

GLASS
BOTTLES

ENVELOPES
NS

MILK CARTO

PAPER

S
CATALOGUE
S

GLASS JAR

PLASTIC
BOTTLES

YELLOW LID

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

7. Use these words to complete the dialogue between Pol and Maria. Then practice it with
your partner
yoghurt containers
bottles

Maria, can you please put the recycling out?

Yes, they go into the recycling bin, but rinse
them with water first and you need to take
the lids off.
They go into the recycling bin, but rinse them
with water first.
So they dont smell for the people in the
recycling factory.
Yes, they do!

newspaper
cans

cardboard box
magazine

OK , Pol, but can I put these

b _ _ _ _ _ _ and c _ _ _ into the
recycling bin?
Do I put the y _ _ _ _ _ _
c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ into the waste bin or
the recycling bin?
Why do I need to rinse all of these things?
The c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ b _ _ ,
n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and m _ _ _ _ _ _ _
go into the recycling bin,
dont they?

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

GLOSSARY
ALUMINUM:

A light strong metal often used in packaging as foil and cans.

BACTERIA:

Micro-organisms that help break down (decompose) organic materials.

BAUXITE:

The rock/mineral ore from which aluminum is made.

BIODEGRADABLE:

Something which breaks down into simpler elements such as carbon.

CARBON:

An element that is one of the essential building blocks of life.

COMPOST:

A soil-like material made from organic waste.

COMPOSTING:

A process consisting of breaking down organic waste into a usable material.

CONSERVE:

To look after something; to care for; not using up too many resources.

CULLET:

Glass in bottle-banks collected for recycling.

DECOMPOSITION:

The rotting and break down of organic material, involving bacteria.

ECOSYSTEM:

The complex web of life linking plants, animals, humans and other life forms
and the environment they live in.

ENERGY:

The force or strength to carry out activities.

ENERGY FROM

The process of capturing the energy released by burning (incinerating)

WASTE (EFW):

rubbish.

ENVIRONMENT:

The surroundings in which all plants and animals live.

FUEL:

Coal or wood are examples of fuels burnt to provide power or heat.

FURNACE:

A very hot oven or fire used to heat or melt substances such as in glass
making

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

GLOSSARY
The warming of the earths atmosphere caused by a build-up of

GLOBAL WARMING:

greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. It is partly

caused by human activity and pollution.
Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere which allow

GREENHOUSE GASES:

the heat of the sun to reach the earth but slow down its escape. Instead the heat gets radiated back to earth.
This is called global warming.

HABITAT:

The natural home of any plant or animal.

HIERARCHY:

A list of things in order of importance or priority.

HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND

A site provided by a local council where the public can recycle materials

RECYCLING CENTRE:.

and dispose of other rubbish

IMPERMEABLE:

A substance which does not allow fluid and/or gas to pass through.
For example, a layer or lining found in a landfill site stopping liquids seep-

INCINERATOR:

A large furnace which burns waste, usually with energy being recovered.

JUNK MAIL:

Unsolicited mail sent to houses by advertisers and companies

KERBSIDE RECYCLING:

Collections picking up material at the boundary of a property or house.

LANDFILL:

A method of disposing of rubbish by putting it in holes in the ground

a landfill site.

LANDFILL SITE:

Large holes in the ground used for waste disposal.

LEACHATE:
LID
LITTER:

A liquid that forms at the bottom of landfill sites as organic material

rots down.
A removable or hinged cover for closing the opening, usually at the top,
of a pot, jar, trunk, etc.
Rubbish dropped in our streets and local environment

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

GLOSSARY
METHANE:

A colourless gas produced from rotting organic waste. A greenhouse gas.

MICRO-ORGANISMS:

Tiny creatures only seen with the help of a microscope.

MINERAL:

A naturally occurring solid substance often obtained by mining.

Materials Recycling Facility (pronounced murf) a specialised building for

MRF:

separating, processing and storing materials separated from rubbish so they

can be recycled into new products.

NATURAL:

Something occurring in nature, not human-made.

NITROGEN:

A colourless, odourless gas that forms 78% of the air..

NUTRIENTS:

Substances or food necessary for the growth of plants and animals.

ORE:

A naturally occurring rock or mineral that metals are extracted from.

ORGANIC:

Living or once living plants, animals, people (i.e. not synthetic)

ORGANISM:

A single living plant, animal, bacterium or fungus.

OXYGEN:

A colourless, odourless gas essential for respiration; also used in industry.

PACKAGING:

Paper, cardboard, plastic or glass wrappings around the things we buy.

POLLUTANTS:

Substances which can damage the environment when released into it.

POLLUTION:
RAW MATERIALS:
RECYCLING:

The presence in the environment of harmful pollutants, substances or materials.

Materials used to make products e.g. sand to make glass, ore to make metal,
oil to make plastic and wood to make furniture.
Collecting and processing waste materials to make new products ready to
be used again.

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

GLOSSARY
RECYCLABLE:

A resource able to be recycled.

REDUCE:

To make less; to become smaller

REFUSE:

Rubbish or waste

RENEWABLE:

A resource which can renew itself or be replaced e.g. wood.

RESOURCE:

Materials, energy or substances which we use

REUSE:

Using a product more than once in the same form.

RINSE:

To wash lightly, as by pouring water over as a final stage in washing:

RUBBISH:

Materials that people no longer want or think there is no further use for

STEEL:

Metal made from iron ore steel is magnetic.

SUSTAINABILITY:
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT:

The goal of using the Earth's resources in ways that do not diminish them and
allow fair shares for all for the present and future generations.
Development which helps achieving the goal of sustainability. It does not damage, or take too many natural resources; it leaves the environment in good
order for future generations.

SYNTHETIC:

Artificial fibres such as lycra and nylon, made using chemical processes.

TEXTILES:

Fabrics or materials which can be natural or synthetic

VERMIN:

Unwanted pests such as rats and pigeons

VERMICULTURE:

Composting using special worms.

WASTE:

Rubbish, refuse

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The 3 Rs. REuse, REduce, REcycle

GLOSSARY
WASTE

Looking after or controlling, collected rubbish

WASTE

Reducing the amount of waste produced.

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