Recycling

1. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

2. What is Waste?
 Waste is anything released into the
environment that could have a negative
impact on that environment.
 The average American throws away 4.5
pounds of trash (waste) a day!
 Waste could be anything from paper to
diapers or food to batteries.

3. What can I do to help?: The Three R’s
 REDUCE!
– Reduce means to make something smaller or use less,
resulting in a smaller amount of waste.
 REUSE!
– Reusing something means to use a material again in its
original form, or to give it to someone else who can use it.
 RECYCLE!
– Recycling is when you save a reusable material and take it
to where it can be made into something new.

4. How can I REDUCE?
 Buy less; buy only what you need and use all
of what you buy.
 Use durable items instead of disposable
ones. For example, buy plastic plates that
you can used many times instead of paper
ones that you throw away after one use.
 Refuse store bags. Carry the items you
purchase from the store by hand, or bring
your own cloth bag to use.

5. How can I REUSE?
 Donate used clothes to Goodwill or other
charities.
 Use cloth diapers instead of disposable
ones.
 If your bicycle breaks, fix it instead of
throwing it away and getting a new bike.

6. How can I RECYCLE?
 Almost everything at home and school can be recycled! Check
to see how your community recycles.
 Don’t throw anything away that can be recycled!
 Some recyclable materials include:
– Aluminum cans
– Cardboard
– Magazines
– Paper
– Plastic bags
– Tires
– Wood
– Paint
– Electronic equipment

7. Quiz: Which is NOT one of the three
R’s?
 Recycle
 Repeat
 Reuse
 Reduce

8. Oops!
Go back and read, then try again!

9. Yes!
That is correct!