Transform and reuse: Discover the world of recycling.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the trash we throw in the bin? Well, some of this waste can be recycled and turned into new products.

Recycling is very important for taking care of our planet and conserving our natural resources. Waste separation is the first step to recycling. To do this, we must place waste in different containers according to their type: paper, plastic, glass, and organics. This way, they can be sent to different recycling plants and be treated properly.

Paper, for example, can be recycled and turned into new paper. Plastic can also be recycled and turned into different products, such as new toys and bottles. Glass can be recycled and turned into new bottles and jars. Organic waste, such as food scraps, can be turned into compost for plants.

But separation is not the only thing that is important. We must also make sure that the waste is clean and free of contaminants. If waste is dirty or contaminated, it can make it difficult to recycle and ruin the process.

Recycling is an important way to take care of our planet and protect our natural resources. We can all help by separating our waste and recycling!

Activities to do in the classroom or at home

After reading this Eco-note, we invite you to keep learning with simple and fun activities to do in the classroom or at home. With small actions and big ideas, together we can help take care of our planet.

1. Let’s Talk

• What is recycling?
• What materials can be recycled?
• What happens to trash when we throw it away?
• Why is recycling important?
• What things do we recycle at home or at school?

2. Let’s Observe

Observe the waste in the classroom or at home and identify which materials are recyclable (paper, plastic, glass).

3. Let’s Create

Let’s turn recyclable materials into something new and fun!
Look around your home for cardboard tubes, boxes, bottle caps, containers or colored paper and create a robot, an animal, a flowerpot or anything else you can imagine. You can also decorate your creations with paint, dry leaves or magazine cutouts.

4. Let’s Color

Download the coloring page and color it.

DOWNLOAD COLORING PAGE

5. Let’s Take Action

Collect used paper or containers and separate them into recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
Create a small area in the classroom to place recyclable materials.
Reuse a container to give it a new purpose (for example, as a pencil holder).

6. Let’s Play

Try an EcoKids eco-game about recycling.

• Recycle and Learn

EcoKids Tip

Recycling is not only about separating waste: it is also about learning to give a new opportunity to many things we use every day. Before throwing something away, think: can it be reused, repaired or transformed?