Learning objectives | Waste & Recycling terminology | The importance of recycling | How to minimize waste | How to sort waste | “Sort it right!” – Waste sorting activity | Final quiz
Welcome to the module on waste and recycling! This module introduces you to the importance of recycling, the recycling process, and strategies for minimizing waste in daily life. Through a combination of readings, videos, and interactive activities, you will develop practical knowledge on reducing environmental impact and adopting sustainable habits.
Learning objectives
- Understanding why it is important to recycle
- Understanding the basics of the recycling process
- Exploring practical ways to minimize waste in various aspects of the daily life
- Understand waste sorting practices in Sweden, Italy, Germany, Greece and Slovenia
- Reflect on personal waste habits and identify areas for improvement
By completing this module, you will gain hands-on experience in waste sorting, understand the environmental impact of improper disposal, and be encouraged to apply these practices in daily life.
⏲ The entire lesson takes approximately 2 hours. It is possible to complete the lesson in one sitting or on several occasions.
Waste & Recycling terminology
Before we begin, have a look at the more technical terms you will encounter in the course of the lesson.
The importance of recycling
Recycling is a process that involves collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste, converting them into new products, and reintroducing them into the market. Take a look at the following document which highlights the key environmental, economic and social impacts of recycling.
Let us now delve into the impact that waste has on the environment. Watch the following video to understand the environmental impact of waste and the significance of recycling.
Now that you have understood the importance of waste recycling, let us take a closer look at how it works. Watch the following video to understand the basics of the entire recycling process.
How to minimize waste
You should know that the individual also plays a key role in preserving the environment from overproduction of waste. Avoiding waste is an important step in reducing our environmental impact and promoting sustainability. In the following presentation you can find some tips and strategies to help you minimize waste in various aspects of your life.
🔔 Action point!
Reflect on your habits. Which of the behaviours you have just read do you already adopt in your daily life?
How to sort waste
As you may have guessed, one of the most impactful activities to be done is waste separation. But how does waste sorting work? Look at the following resources to understand how to sort different types of waste in five different European countries, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Greece and Slovenia.
🚩 Choose the resource related to the country you live in or are simply interested in!
🟡 How to sort waste in Sweden
🟢 How to sort waste in Italy
🟠 How to sort waste in Germany
🔵 How to sort waste in Greece
🟣 How to sort waste in Slovenia
“Sort it right!” – Waste sorting activity
Now it is time to put into practice what you have learnt through a simple interactive activity! This activity will help you develop practical skills in sorting waste correctly by categorizing common household or waste into appropriate bins.
You can start taking a look at the following document to understand the different types of waste.
If you want to carry out this activity in presence, follow the instructions below.
Materials Needed:
- A variety of waste items (real or printed images)
- Four labeled bins (or printed categories on paper) – Recyclable/Non-Recyclable/Compostable/Hazardous
Instructions:
- Collect waste items – Gather various items commonly found in households (real or printed images)
- Sort the waste – Try to place each item in the correct bin based on your understanding of waste categories.
- Reflection – Once sorting is complete, try to understand why each item belongs in a particular bin.
If you want to do this activity digitally, take the quiz below.
Final quiz
You have completed the module on waste and recycling! You can assess what you have learnt by completing the following interactive quiz.
Well done!
You have now completed the explorer level lesson on waste and recycling! If you wish, you can move on to the practitioner level course.